Oslo’s controversial politician in charge of environmental and transport issues is continuing her drive to tax motorists, this time targeting their patience instead of their wallets. Lan Marie Berg of the Greens Party wants to roll back the speed limit on all city streets to just 30kph (18mph).
“The lower speed limit will make the city safer for pedestrians, and for children who walk to school,” Berg told state broadcaster NRK on Thursday. The current speed limit in all Norwegian cities is 50kph, unless it’s posted lower in certain areas.
Berg has already angered many motorists by removing parking places on city street, putting limits on parking lots or garages, boosting road tolls and even closing some streets to cars entirely. Now she wants to slow down vehicular traffic on all streets over which the city has jurisdiction.
Opposition politicians quickly argued that could snarl traffic and frustrate motorists unless exceptions are made on major thoroughfares. Berg’s proposal is likely, however, to gain majority support within the left-wing city government coalition. It remained unclear whether the lower speed limit would also be enforced for bicyclists, who often are known for cycling fast and ignoring traffic laws.
newsinenglish.no staff
