European Commission announces 30 km/h speed limits success as Bologna and Wales report progress

Source: ETSC

The European Commission has emphasised the importance of 30 km/h speed limits in reducing road injuries, fatalities, and pollution levels.

In response to a parliamentary question, Wopke Hoekstra, the new commissioner for transport following Adina Vălean’s election to the European Parliament in June, highlighted that “the Commission acknowledges that speed is a major factor in road deaths and serious injuries, particularly in urban areas, where vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists or the users of e-scooters constitute 70% of fatalities.“

“Recent research on the impact of city-wide 30 km/h speed limits in 40 European cities points to significant benefits. On average, these speed limits led to a 23%, 37%, and 38% reduction in road crashes, fatalities, and injuries respectively.“

The commissioner also emphasised that the impact on travel time is limited and the benefits to rod safety and other factors “often outweigh any change in travel times.“

The Welsh government recently revealed data that road crashes and injuries between April and June 2024 fell by about a quarter compared to the same period in 2023, suggesting a positive impact from new 20 mph limits in urban areas.

Italy’s City of Bologna announced since launching its Città 30 program of 30 km/h limits city-wide, has seen road collisions drop by nearly 11% and injuries by over 10% in the first six months, compared to averages from the same period in 2022 and 2023. Severe crashes have plummeted by 38%, and fatalities have decreased by a third, reaching lows comparable to those during the Covid lockdowns. Vehicle traffic has reduced slightly (-3%), while traffic-related pollution has fallen by over 20%. Bike sharing has nearly doubled (+92%), with bicycle trips up by 12%.

In Germany, recent changes to traffic laws now make it somewhat easier for local authorities to set 30 km/h limits. However, a coalition of cities argues that the changes are insufficient and has scheduled an online conference on November 29 for municipalities interested in implementing safer speed limits.