By Francesca Piscioneri
ROME, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Rome has become the latest European capital to sharply reduce speed limits, forcing Italians notorious for breakneck driving to slow down in an effort to reduce accidents and pollution.
The Eternal City’s new limit of 30 kph (19 mph) throughout the historic centre took effect on Thursday, almost halving the previous 50 kph limit in streets overwhelmed by residents, tourists and cars.
“These roads reflect a city built for cars that no longer exists,” Rome’s transport chief Eugenio Patane told daily Corriere della Sera.
“Lower speeds save lives,” he added, citing data suggesting that speeding plays a role in 7.5% of the city’s road accidents.
In a statement, Patane said the new limit would be enforced gradually over the next 30 days, to allow drivers to get used to it.
Rome is following the example of European capitals such as London, Brussels, Paris and Helsinki which have embraced slower, safer streets, in some cases overriding strong opposition from motorists.
“Some people drive extremely fast. I ride a scooter and often risk being hit… it’s better to go slowly,” said Rome resident Barbara Barattolo.
Others were skeptical.
Cristiano, a taxi driver who preferred not to share his surname, criticised the new speed restrictions: “I think it’s too low. In some places it might be fine, but in others it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
SPEED LIMITS REDUCED ACCIDENTS IN BOLOGNA
Bologna in northern Italy saw road accidents fall by 13% and fatalities decline by around 50% in the year after it became the country’s first major city to impose a 30 kph speed limit in January 2024.
Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has installed more speed cameras and urged residents to rely less on private cars since his election in 2021, amid growing concerns over safety and emissions.
Italy’s Supreme Court ruled in November that people living near a congested Roman ring road were entitled to 10,000 euros ($11,655) each in compensation for being exposed to excessive noise and pollution.
The lower speed limit is expected to reduce noise levels by around 2 decibels in Rome’s city centre, local authorities said.
($1 = 0.8580 euros)
(Writing by Francesca Piscioneri; additional reporting by Cristiano Corvino; Editing by Alvise Armellini and Alison Williams)
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