by Guisela Chiarella
In a bid to enhance road safety and curb accidents, several cities across Italy are embracing the 30 km/h speed limit within their city centers. To gauge public opinion on this contentious issue, we took to the streets of downtown Trieste to discover what the city dwellers have to say about the implementation of the 30 km/h speed limit in their urban landscape.
This initiative follows the pioneering move by Bologna, where local jeweler Sergio Baldazzi became the first recipient of a ticket for surpassing the newly imposed speed restriction, driving at 39 km/h.
While the Città 30 measure aims to eliminate road fatalities entirely, the Italian Transport Ministry has raised concerns about its practicality. They argue that the restrictions may prove burdensome for citizens, especially workers, potentially outweighing the benefits for road safety.
Despite the skepticism at the national level, proponents of the speed limit assert that it’s a necessary step to prioritize the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in bustling urban areas. They argue that the costs associated with issuing fines pale in comparison to the potential loss of life and the long-term societal impacts of road accidents.
