Filenews 20 November 2021 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
The issue of reducing the speed limit within cities from 50 km to 30 km comes up again, as is the recommendation in the new Strategic Plan 2021-2030.
Already, information from "F" indicates that the Department of Public Works has begun an investigation within the cities to identify roads on which this measure could be implemented with positive results. As has been explained to us competently, the reduction of the limit does not concern small roads in neighbourhoods where drivers cannot move at high speeds anyway, but main roads within areas where citizens operate en masse and there is a risk of developing speeds of more than 50 kilometres. Also, the criterion for lowering the limit will be whether road traffic collisions occur on a road or a road junction.
This development, which is also being discussed in the Road Safety Council, is also related to the trend prevailing in several cities in Europe, where the speed limit has been reduced to 30 km, with the aim of reducing accidents, noise and pollution. It is expected that the Department of Public Works will make recommendations to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and accordingly a relevant proposal will be forwarded to the Road Safety Council for a positive or negative decision.
According to the proposal submitted to the Strategic Planning, the speed limit in cities should be reduced to 30 km not only outside schools or on some streets that have been redeveloped in Nicosia and elsewhere that are already in place, but also where appropriate, except for highways with four or two lanes of traffic. It is noted that there has been a decision of the European Parliament since 2011, to introduce this speed limit in cities and already in recent years, several European cities have begun to implement it.
The idea to reduce the speed limit within cities and especially in the centre, is also welcomed by the Police Traffic Department, since it has been proven that every 10% reduction in the speed limit is achieved by a 20% reduction in road collisions. In Cyprus, 60% of traffic accidents occur in residential areas.
In order to apply a lower speed limit within cities, a decision must be taken in the Road Safety Council and probably approved by the Parliament.
