by With the expansion of the Ulez scheme in London and the roll-out of 20mph speed limits across Great Britain, British drivers could be forgiven for feeling that they are being discriminated against. But the war on motorists is not limited to UK roads. From Spain to Switzerland, European governments are also adopting new anti-car measures, limiting the freedom with which drivers – including holidaymakers – can explore the continent.
One such destination is Bologna, in northern Italy, which is cracking down on drivers. Earlier this month, a default speed limit of 30km/h (19mph) was introduced across the city – a reduction of 20km/h – much to the chagrin of residents. The event came as Italy’s deputy prime minister said within a week that he was “working on guidelines” to reverse the restrictions and “find a reasonable balance” for drivers in other cities.
The controversial Città 30 concept was devised from Bologna to reduce accidents and air pollution. Italian newspaper The Republic It reports that 737 deaths were attributed to road accidents between 2010 and 2019 across the metropolitan area of Bologna.
But for many, the hefty speed reduction is too long a compromise. Drivers in Bologna stopped traffic to protest the regulations, taxi drivers threatened to raise their fares and bus drivers warned of disruption to timetables. However, supporters of the legislation claim that the restrictions will improve traffic flow and journey times.
The Bologna case is reminiscent of the recent row in Wales over a default 20mph speed limit for built-up and residential areas, which was introduced last year due to road safety and environmental concerns.
These measures were not popular, with residents complaining that the limit makes journeys more difficult, and creates problems driving up steep hills. It has been reported that one village has been cut off from a bus route as a result of the change.
Tourists planning to bring their car to Europe, or hire a car while away from home, should be aware of similar regulations emerging across the continent.
In Zurich, for example, a 30km/h limit now applies to more than half of the city’s roads, and Switzerland is considering rolling out the scheme across the country.
In Bilbao, northern Spain, the number of cars on the road has increased significantly due to the development of the port – which is now a creative center that is home to the Guggenheim museum. In response, there is now a 30km/h speed limit across the city.
Reduced speed limits have recently been announced in Belgium, Denmark and Sweden.
Environmental schemes, such as Ulez, are also expanding across the Channel.
In French cities such as Bordeaux, Lyon, Paris, Marseilles and Montpellier, visitors are being warned that they must now wear CRITAir – “clean air” – stickers on their windscreens, or face a €135 (£115) fine. Paris, in particular, is now subject to much slower speed limits and has designated “limited traffic zones”, or LTZs, in the city centre.
By the end of this year, the LTZ will include the first arrondissement and parts of the fifth, sixth and seventh arrondissements. From 2026, all arrondissements will be LTZs, meaning that only the lowest emission vehicles will be able to drive through the city (with some exceptions for residents and emergency vehicles).
Meanwhile, Madrid’s “Sustainable Mobility Plan” aims to reduce air pollution by 65 percent and reduce traffic volume by a quarter. Visitors to the Spanish capital will notice an expanded Metro route and increased pedestrians; in the city centre, cars are subject to low emission zones, like those in London. Fines of between €200 (£170) and €1,800 (£1,540) can be imposed on foreign drivers with cars that do not meet the requirements.
London’s Ulez scheme, introduced by Sadiq Khan in 2019 and expanded last year, is a blueprint for many European capitals. The scheme now covers most of Greater London, from Havering to Heathrow, with non-compliant cars subject to a daily charge of £12.50. Opposition to Ulez has led to cameras being cut down by vigilante groups and blown up by improvised explosive devices.
Outside of Europe too, cities such as Toronto point to London’s example as it tries to get control of its major traffic problem. Last year, the Canadian city was ranked third worst in the world for traffic congestion, behind only the UK capital and Dublin. The city plans to reduce speed limits from 50 and 40 km/h to 30 km/h by 2025.
Drivers on the continent have long known the need for items such as reflective jackets, warning triangles and snow chains. Now, there will be concerns about how long it takes to get around – and the potential for inadvertently driving in a restricted area. On the other hand, improvements to public transport benefit non-driving visitors, and cleaner air provided by such schemes will certainly make for a more pleasant journey.
If hassle-free driving is a priority, however, there are still some car-friendly countries. Germany’s Autobahnen remain free of limits, although a top speed of 130 km/h (81mph) is recommended and the country’s built-up areas are largely limited to 50km/h (31mph).
Greece, according to destination expert Heidi Fuller-Love, is similarly laissez-faire. “Speed limit laws are rarely respected or enforced – even in big cities,” she says. For tourists who prefer their trip fast and furious, this may be a destination to consider.
