Italians challenged to drive slowly as Rome introduces speed limit in historic center

The new 30 kph limit, taking effect across Rome’s historic center, aims to improve road safety and cut pollution as traffic crowds narrow streets. The move follows similar measures in other European capitals and comes after evidence of sharp accident reductions in Bologna.

Reuters

15 January 2026 at 11:12:51

A taxi drives past a 30km/h speed limit sign near the Colosseum the day before the speed limit in Rome's historic city centre is reduced to 30 km/h in Rome, Italy, January 14, 2026.

Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

Rome is set to become the latest European capital to sharply reduce speed limits, forcing Italians notorious for breakneck driving to slow down in an effort to reduce accidents and pollution.

The Eternal City's new limit of 30 kph (19 mph) throughout the historic center takes effect from Thursday (January 15), almost halving the previous 50 kph limit in streets overwhelmed by residents, tourists and cars.

“We’ll have to see how it goes. We’re not used to it, so I think it will be difficult'', Rome resident Nadia Bali said.

Rome's lower limit follows the example of European capitals such as London, Brussels, Paris and Helsinki which have already embraced slower, safer streets, in some cases overriding strong opposition from motorists.

The northern Italian city of Bologna saw road accidents fall by 13% and fatalities decline by around 50% in the year after it became the country's first major center to impose a 30 kph speed limit in January 2024.

Production: Cristiano Corvino, Gabriele Pileri, Antonio Denti, Oriana Boselli/Reuters

Rome is set to become the latest European capital to sharply reduce speed limits, forcing Italians notorious for breakneck driving to slow down in an effort to reduce accidents and pollution.