Reduction of average speed can drastically reduce fatality rates and enhance overall road safety. European cities like Brussels or Helsinki have made this bold move several years ago by announcing a speed limit of 30km/h. Thanks to citizens’ initiatives and awareness-raising campaigns, the Italian city of Bologna has followed in their footsteps and introduced such a speed limit in early 2024. First results of the positive impacts were published recently:
In its first year, Bologna’s “Città 30” initiative has yielded remarkable outcomes in road safety, environmental quality, and sustainable mobility. In one year, road fatalities in the city nearly halved, dropping by 49% to ten deaths—the lowest annual figure since 2013, excluding the COVID-19 period. Notably, for the first time since 1991, no pedestrian fatalities were recorded, and pedestrian injuries decreased by 16%.
Overall traffic accidents declined by over 13%, with serious incidents decreasing by 31%. Vehicle traffic reduced by 5%, equating to approximately 11,000 fewer vehicles on weekdays. This shift coincided with a 29% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels – the lowest in the past decade.
Sustainable transport modes experienced significant growth: bike-sharing usage surged by 69%, car-sharing by 44%, and metropolitan train services by 31%. Cycling increased by 10%, while bus usage remained stable compared to 2023 and rose relative to 2022.
The initiative faced initial political debate, yet enforcement has been measured. In 2024, only 89 fines were issued for exceeding the 30 km/h limit, primarily in sensitive areas like schools and pedestrian crossings. The city conducted 166 days of speed checks, stopping over 14,000 vehicles and issuing 2,046 fines overall.
Learn more about the results by downloading the Italian brochure here.