Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Brussels Mayor advocates for EU-wide authority to implement safer speed limits, aligning with a broader campaign aimed at enhancing road safety across Europe.
The mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, has joined forces with other city authorities around Europe in calling for local administrations to set safer speed limits.
The letter, published in the Financial Times, tracks central government initiatives in England and Italy that could hinder the power of cities and towns to enforce road safety measures, such as lower speed limitations and traffic enforcement cameras.
“One of the greatest concerns of our citizens today is traffic safety. And they are right! Politicians must therefore actively work on this. The City of Brussels is taking many initiatives to improve road safety,” the Brussels administration said.
“We are tackling the environment at the school gate, organising school-friendly streets and ensuring the effective application of Zone 30. A city where everyone – the young and elderly, mobile and less mobile – can move around safely. In this way, we can ensure better road safety in our neighbourhoods and for our citizens.”
Who Initiates the Campaign for Safer Speed Limits?
Meanwhile in Germany, more than 1,000 municipalities are calling for the freedom to set local speed limits – a policy that is presently heavily restricted by national laws and only permitted on a case-by-case basis for particular roads. A similar enterprise in Austria was successful, with cities able to develop their speed limits and run enforcement operations this year.
However, across Europe, there is “an appearing and worrying trend” of national governments endeavouring to make it difficult for cities to take an effort on road deaths through lower speed limitations and other critical measures, the letter read.
In Italy, for example, the government has offered a new road traffic law that would severely hamper the capacity of local authorities to create low-traffic zones, establish speed cameras and set lower speed limits. In England, a “program for drivers” from the central government aims for similarly restrictive measures.
“National policies like these established not on science but political expediency, harm the ability of local leaders to make decisions on enhancing the safety and health of their citizens. And everybody loses,” they added.
Why Is Setting Safer Speed Limits a Priority?
Lower speed limitations in urban spaces are preventing deaths and enhancing lives today in cities across Europe, they stressed. “This is not about restricting the freedom of cars, but about making the roads safer for everyone, reducing noise and pollution, and making the city more inviting for those who choose healthier forms of transport such as walking and cycling.”
More than 70% of European residents live in cities, villages and suburbs, whose populations already encounter health and environmental challenges. “Taking away the ability of local leaders to introduce simple, effective ways of reducing harm and improving lives cannot be justified.”
Who Else Supports the EU-Wide Call for Speed Limits?
“Lower speed limits in our cities and towns are a low-cost, no-regret move to enhance safety, reduce noise, and promote walking and cycling,” highlighted Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council. “There is no good reason to limit the freedom of local management to take such measures.”
Additionally, André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities said that cities are uniquely positioned to decide what speed limits and traffic efforts are needed to keep their roads safe.
“Restricting their ability to implement those measures puts vulnerable road users at a higher risk,” he said. “We urge national governments to heed this call from local leaders and empower them to carry out crucial interventions to make their streets safer and healthier.”
