Slowing down on city streets?

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Created: Friday, 11 June 2021 15:37

"Streets For Life” #Love30

     There is a strong global call this year to reduce the maximum speed to 30 km/h on city streets, all over the world. Why? To save lives.

     In Argentina, the National Traffic Law provides that the maximum speed allowed on the streets is 40 km/h (25 mph), unless otherwise signposted. Most people will think that this is a relatively low speed. And it is, but not if a vehicle hits a person's body. The injuries suffered at that speed are substantially more severe than if it happens at a 10 km slower speed. The chance of surviving the impact is much lower at 40 km/h than at 30 km/h.

     A reduction in speed from 40 km/h to 30 km/h reduces traffic fatalities by two thirds, according to international studies based on evidence from many cities in different countries that already have this rule. The greatest beneficiaries are the most vulnerable in traffic, pedestrians and cyclists, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

     That is why this year, the upcoming United Nations Global Road Safety Week to be held from May 17-23, has the slogan “Streets for Life” #Love30, for safer, healthier, greener and more livable cities.