“Any generalized speed limit setting in an urban context is in itself arbitrary.” The Ministry of Transport intervenes with a directive on the Bologna Municipality’s regulation setting a 30 km/h limit in the city, explaining that “the general application of extremely low speed limits can cause traffic congestion and damage transport.” orderly regulation of traffic, creation of traffic jams and queues, as well as the environmental profile”.
Department head Matteo Salvini therefore draws attention to one of the measures adopted by some municipal governments that has caused the most controversy in recent days. According to the document from the Ministry of Transport, the regulation of road traffic should be carried out in a capillary manner, based on the “main characteristics of each road or road section”.
The speed limit in the city is 30 km/h only on some streets.
According to what the directive reads, the weighting of speed limits should be considered not only in terms of increasing the maximum speed limit from 50 km/h to 70 km/h, but also in terms of introducing maximum speed limits of less than 50 km/h. 50km/h.
In the document, MIT lists the main conditions for lowering the limit to 50 km/h: lack of sidewalks and heavy pedestrian movement; abnormal narrowing of road sections; steep slopes; meandering planimetric layouts typical of historical cores and old settlements; Frequency of vehicle entry and exit to factories, businesses, nurseries, schools, playgrounds and similar places; slippery or uneven surfaces that are dangerous in various ways (e.g. in bad weather or adverse weather conditions). “In any perimeter surrounding all adjacent limited speed zones, a road network with a speed limit of 50 km/h must be maintained to ensure connections between the extreme points of that perimeter,” the directive states.
Bologna Municipality’s attention continues
On the morning of January 24, after MİT’s speed limit instruction was conveyed to Anci, a video meeting took place between Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore. This was an opportunity to assess the situation to maintain safety without harming road users.
At this point, Salvini reiterated that the general speed of 30 per hour is not consistent with the indicators of the Highway Code and may create more problems than benefits. The mayor of Bologna had the opportunity to demonstrate the nature of the measure adopted in Bologna and its elements of compliance with existing regulations and the draft directive. He reiterated that he is broadly open to discussion and cooperation. The Ministry and the Municipality will share the technical materials of the measures and continue monitoring studies together.
Source: Today IT
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
