“The exception will become the rule”: towards the generalization of 30 km/h in the streets of Millau from July 1

A compter du lundi 1er juillet Millau va rejoindre le club des 200 ville françaises qui ont fait le choix de généraliser la zone 30 km/h sur leurs voiries. Midi Libre – F.MAYET

Nearly 60% of municipal roads are already affected but the City has just adopted the generalization of the limitation with the idea of ​​reducing noise pollution and increasing the safety of soft mobility.

A (r)evolution at reduced speed. From Monday July 1, Millau will join the club of 200 French cities (*) having chosen to limit their roads to 30 km/h. For cars of course, but also heavy goods vehicles, buses and motorized two-wheelers. Although around 60% of municipal roads were already subject to this limitation (including the entire city center), Emmanuelle Gazel is delighted that "the exception becomes the rule !"

For the mayor of Millau, the genesis of the decision is linked to meetings with residents. "Whether on the Friday market, during office hours, neighborhood meetings or even with associations or during seniors' meals, the same request for a speed reduction comes up." The’edile evokes "a feeling of excessive speed throughout the city."< /p>

A shift deemed "logical" by the mayor

Millau already having more than 60% of its municipal roads limited to 30 km/h or 20 km/h, the shift towards generalization seemed "logical&amp ;quot; for Emmanuelle Gazel. Two gains are expected by the City: reduced noise and safety. Both for motorists and users of soft mobility."Bikes that travel on roads at 30 km/h are safer. Like scooters. This means that bikes and scooters will be less on the sidewalks which will be reserved for pedestrians. Which is the rule. And, frankly, for cars the loss of time remains quite marginal."

All urban roads will be limited to 30 km/h Midi Libre – Sophie Wauquiez

Yannick Douls, elected delegate for mobility and roads, confirms that, "over one kilometer, driving at 30 km/h only increases travel time by 18 seconds. And reducing speed in town is in tune with the times. Road safety launched a petition on May 23 to generalize this measure to all French cities"

"There will be signs at the city entrances, ground markings as well"

The elected official presents the argument for road safety: "on an impact at 50 km/h, the pedestrian does not have only a 20 to 30% chance of survival. At 30 km/h the chances rise to 80-90% for the injured pedestrian. at minus 3 decibels with a drop in speed of 50 to 30 km/h.