Francis Szpiner, a councilor and senator of Paris, along with Olivier Blond, a regional councilor, criticize the recent speed limit reduction on the Paris ring road, arguing that it does not effectively address air pollution. They highlight that the real issue lies in the dilapidated state of the roads, which contributes significantly to noise and pollution. A study by the Renault group reveals that nearly 60% of the ring road is in poor condition, leading to increased noise levels that could be mitigated through proper maintenance. The councilors propose that instead of focusing solely on speed limits, the city should prioritize restoring the road surface to enhance air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Paris City Hall has officially implemented a speed limit of 50 km/h across the entire 35 km ring road, a reduction from the previous limit of 70 km/h. This change, which aims to combat noise and air pollution affecting over 500,000 residents, was gradually rolled out starting October 1, 2024. Despite the installation of 160 new traffic signs, there is uncertainty regarding the enforcement of speed limits, particularly concerning the operation of speed radars along the route.
