The Capital Has Slowed Down: What Lies Behind the New Rules 0 10

"Less Speed – More Potholes"

Speed limits of 30 km/h have recently been introduced in Kipsala, Imanta, Ziepniekkalns, and Shkirotava. As explained by the press service, "to improve traffic safety and adapt the speed of movement to the existing street infrastructure."

As for the street infrastructure, it has not undergone any changes in the specified neighborhoods for many decades. Yes, the streets are narrow, but cars have not become wider either. There are more cyclists, that is a fact.

Have there been more pedestrians? Probably yes – due to poverty, there is no money for tickets, and the bus runs once an hour during peak hours. And from 1999 for fifteen years, there was no bus service to Kipsala at all. People got there as best as they could. In most cases – not on foot, but by car. And now the speed for cars and buses is being reduced. In many places in Kipsala, it has already been reduced to 20 km/h – where there are no sidewalks, "residential zone" signs have been installed.

So, dear residents, you will need to leave earlier for your errands. As for the mentioned areas, it will probably indeed help reduce the number of traffic accidents. If there were any at all. There have not been many reports of road incidents on many streets in these areas. The "black spots" in Riga in 2024 were Jaunciems Highway, Daugavgriva Highway, Silikatu Street, and Sturmanu Street.