The Department of Public Works has completed a study aimed at reducing the speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h in urban areas with the aim of reducing vehicles and pollutants and promoting sustainable mobility.
The matter is periodically discussed in the Road Safety Council, which had tasked the Department of Public Works with making recommendations for reducing speed limits within cities as part of the strategic planning to reduce fatal road crashes.
Information from Phileleftheros indicates that the Department’s study is ready and will be submitted to the Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeades, to be forwarded to the Road Safety Council.
Our information indicates that the proposal includes three areas in Nicosia, one in Kaimakli and the other in Aglantzia, three areas in Limassol, one in the Municipality of Mesa Geitonia, and one area in the center of Larnaca.
Studies have shown that the speed limit, currently at 50 km/h, could be reduced to 30 km/h, as the road conditions in these areas are such that it will not affect traffic.
It may even encourage the use of alternative means such as bicycles and scooters for their trips or movement within these areas.
It is noted that according to the legislation for electric scooters, they can be used on roads when the speed limit is 30 km/h; otherwise, they should be on bike lanes and areas designated by municipalities and communities.
Already, in some areas in city centers, the speed limit has been reduced to 30 km/h, while in Agioi Omologites in Nicosia, in some roads, the limit is 20 km/h, as they are adjacent to a primary school.
As reported by Phileleftheros, the reduction in the speed limit does not apply to small streets in neighborhoods where drivers cannot move at high speeds, but to main roads within areas where many citizens are active, and there is a risk of speeds exceeding 50 kilometers.
Additionally, a criterion for reducing the speed limit will be whether a road or an intersection is prone to road accidents.
There is a trend in Europe to reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h throughout the urban center, aiming to reduce accidents, noise, and pollution. I
t is also noted that there has been a decision by the European Parliament since 2011 to establish this speed limit in cities.
The idea of ​​reducing the speed limit within cities, especially in the center, is supported by the Traffic Department of the Police, as it has been proven that every 10% reduction in the speed limit achieves a 20% reduction in road crashes.
In Cyprus, 60% of road accidents occur in residential areas.
