Reduced speed limits in towns and cities

NPRA Circular 05/17 from 2005 provides guidelines for using 30 km/h and 40 km/h speed limits in cities and towns. A survey among urban municipalities shows that municipalities have followed up and reduced the speed limits on much of the road network. Analyses of accidents and risk show inconclusive results, and it is not possible to determine whether municipalities who have largely reduced speed limits have had more favourable trends in road accidents than municipalities that have done so to a lesser degree. The reason for this is that data are uncertain regarding the scope of reduced speed limits. In addition, accident numbers are statistically small and subject to large random variations when the accident figures are analysed at the municipal level. There has been a clear improvement in road safety in Norwegian municipalities over time, and there is reason to assume that reduced speed limits have contributed to this.