Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's transport ministry on Wednesday released a directive halting standard speed limits in Italian cities after criticizing Bologna's decision to set a 30km/h limit there.
"Any generalized setting of speed limits in an urban situation is arbitrary," the directive read.
"The setting of excessively low speed limits could be harmful from an environmental point of view... and create traffic jams".
It said speed limits should be "based on the main characteristics of each road or stretch of road".
Bologna Mobility Chief Valentina Orioli said at the weekend that the city had drafted the measure to boost safety in accordance with ministry guidelines and stressed that the limit does not respect main highways.
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