The right-wing populist government in Rome plans to limit traffic calming measures and speed limits in Bologna, despite the city’s successful implementation of a 30 km/h speed limit on many streets.
Rom to Limit Speed Limits in Bologna Since the beginning of the year, many streets in Bologna have had a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour. However, the right-wing populist government in Rome disagrees and wants to restrict traffic calming measures through a decree.
Laura, a nurse, drives her car almost every day in her hometown of Bologna. At first, the 56-year-old was against the new rules. However, she now believes, “If the statistics show that there are really fewer accident victims at a speed of 30, we as drivers must accept it.” She admits that it was not easy to get used to driving slower but finds that “if you do it day after day, it’s not such a big deal.”
As a frequent driver, Laura has made peace with the new rules in Bologna. As the first major city in Italy, the exhibition metropolis introduced almost widespread 30 km/h speed limits at the beginning of the year, except on main roads. This pioneering act caused a national outrage. However, the government in Rome aims to reverse the Bologna model in many parts of the country.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini argues that it is important for people to get to work quickly, stating, “I think environmental protection must be balanced with people’s right to live and work.” He refuses to accept Bologna’s decision to declare 70% of the city area as a 30 km/h zone. He has announced a directive and a decree to limit the right of Italian cities and municipalities to introduce 30 km/h zones.
According to press reports, the ministry’s drafts suggest that in the future, 30 km/h limits in Italy will be mostly limited to sensitive areas such as streets with kindergartens, schools, or hospitals. Salvini mocks Bologna’s decision in an Instagram video, saying, “By driving slower, Bolognesi can now listen to the singing of little birds. The singing of little birds! Come on, let those who have to work work!”
In the reddish Palazzo d’Accursio, the seat of the city administration in the center of Bologna, Matteo Lepore sits and appears somewhat exhausted by the dispute with Salvini and the government in Rome. The mayor, a member of the center-left Democratic Party (PD), says, “I think it is a very political polemic.” He states that negotiations with the ministry are ongoing, and he is confident that a “common solution” will be found. Lepore emphasizes, “We want to make the streets safer, and we will demonstrate that it is possible.”
The mayor believes that the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit in the city of nearly 400,000 inhabitants went smoother than expected. Within a week, only 20 fines were imposed for speeding.
However, there are critics in Bologna as well. As is often the case with similar measures, taxi drivers are among the grumblers. Rubens, a 60-year-old taxi driver waiting for a ride behind the town hall, complains, “The rides take longer, the traffic jams even more.” Furthermore, he says, “Now we have to constantly check the speedometer. It’s just another stress.”
Following the motto “While you’re at it…”, Minister Salvini has announced that his planned decree will not only restrict the 30 km/h zones in Italy but also limit the use of speed cameras against speeders. Salvini’s belief is that “placing speed cameras in front of a hospital where many accidents happen or in front of a school makes sense. However, randomly placing speed cameras to make money does not.” Therefore, he intends to regulate the use of speed cameras as well.
Meanwhile, Mayor Lepore remains calm. He insists that the 30 km/h project is not wavering. “It is stronger than ever,” he states. Moreover, he believes it is a project “that other Italian cities will advance in the future.”
