Paris: Paris is in controversy over speed limit of 30 km / h 1:09
(CNN) -
Paris authorities are forcing drivers to hit the brakes with a new speed limit on almost every street in the city, in a bid to reduce pollution and improve road safety.
But will it work?
There are questions about whether the rule, which limits speed to 30 kilometers per hour, will actually reduce pollution.
Some critics say it will worsen rush hour traffic jams and could even increase greenhouse gas emissions.
That will depend, in part, on whether drivers get so fed up with the speed limit that they choose other modes of transportation to get around.
A new signage photographed on August 30 in Paris.
(Credit: AP / Francois Mori)
To further deter drivers from using the vehicles in the city, the authorities also decided to get rid of 60,000 of the 144,000 parking spaces on Paris's public roads.
Instead they will use underground parking lots.
Some sidewalks will be widened, leaving more room for pedestrians to walk, as well as for trees and plants.
New bike paths will also be created.
According to a poll by the Paris City Council, 59% of city residents are in favor of the new limit, which came into effect on Monday.
The opposition was much higher in the wider Île-de-France region, where it reached 61%.
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A deliveryman stuck in traffic on Monday said the change had been "terrible."
"With
deliveries it
's terrible. We don't have time. There were traffic jams everywhere. We don't have time," he told CNN affiliate BFMTV.
Another driver said it was as if car drivers were riding "electric scooters" and called the rule "crazy."
Paris Deputy Mayor David Belliard, who is responsible for transport, told BFMTV that the hope is that the limit will make more people stop driving and encourage more walking, the use of public transport and bicycles.
This Sunday, he posted a tweet responding to the criticism: "A friendly clarification of what those who oppose reducing the speed limit are saying: NO, a speed limit of 30 km / h does not increase pollution (... ) In fact, it improves the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, reduces noise and calms the city. "
City council officials said the change would reduce total traffic accidents by 25% and fatal accidents by 40%, according to a study by the World Health Organization.
Noise pollution will also be cut in half, according to their study.
They further stated that traffic noise has had negative physical and psychological impacts, including stress, insomnia and depression.
The rule change follows a public consultation held in October and November 2020, in which more than 5,700 people participated.
