Zones limited to 30 kilometers per hour have been appearing in recent years throughout cities, both in our country and in other countries. The controversy in this sense has been extensive, since we were used to limits of 50 or 40 kilometers per hour, and the measure was questioned.
Behind these zones limited to 30 kilometers per hour, it was argued that there was a desire to improve Road Safety, and make towns and cities safer. But what is true about it? Well, now that some time has passed and we started to have studies, they tell us that it was correct, the cities and towns are safer now.
A European study presented in Trento and made up of 70 local studies confirms that implementing zones limited to 30 kilometers per hour in cities has many advantages.
Before entering into the safety advantages, the first thing that was detected is the average decrease in emissions of 18% and a reduction in noise pollution levels of 2.5 decibels. There is also a slight 2% improvement in traffic congestion.
How have the zones limited to 30 kilometers per hour affected Road Safety?
The studies also reveal a great improvement in traffic accidents recorded in these areas and, perhaps here, the figures are much more important due to the direct repercussions they have and the percentages achieved.
Thus, the average number of traffic accidents in areas limited to 30 kilometers per hour has decreased by 23%. That is, almost one in four accidents have been avoided. But if this figure is important, the average decrease in deaths and injuries in cases in which the accident has occurred is even more important.
We all know that the higher the speed, the greater the severity of the injuries and the greater the lethality. But it is still surprising that by lowering the speed limit, deaths have been reduced on average by 37%, and injuries by 38%.
Figures that emphasize the importance of moderate speed in the city both for the quality of life and for the safety of citizens.
