Eurocities survey: 75% of cities report fewer road deaths & injuries after reducing speeds

Lower urban speed limits are delivering safer city streets across Europe, cutting road deaths and injuries without increasing congestion or journey times, a new Eurocities survey reveals.

The survey, based on responses from 38 cities in 19 European countries, shows that many local governments have introduced 30 km/h limits in targeted areas, prioritising residential neighbourhoods and school zones.

75% of cities report clear positive results, with fewer road deaths and injuries, while 91% report at least one positive impact on urban life, such as a lower number of accidents and fatalities, a decrease in air and noise pollution, and an increase in active mobility modes.

Cities report reductions in accidents, fatalities and serious injuries for all road users, alongside lower vehicle speeds and reduced noise pollution. Crucially, these gains come without trade-offs: respondents report no overall negative effects on congestion, traffic volumes or journey times, and only limited, manageable impacts on public transport. 

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