should the speed be reduced to 30km/h at night in Monaco?
On social networks, many Internet users complain about noise at night in the Principality. Some are calling for the lowering of the maximum speed to 30 km / h, against 50 km / h currently. Is this measure possible? The police answer us.
Waking up with a start at three in the morning because of a car noise? This is the daily life of many residents of the Principality who are regularly part of their misadventures on social networks. Indeed, the police confirm that as of September 15, 2022, 75 notices of contravention have been issued since the beginning of January, for ” Additional noise without necessity or at a fault of precaution » at night (between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.), against drivers.
The geographical sectors most concerned are firstly those hosting traffic lanes used for the Grand Prix route, namely: Larvotto/Portier, Monte Carlo/Casino and Condamine/Port, then those hosting direct crossing traffic lanes , such as Boulevard du Larvotto/Dorsale.
Pendant 1/3 of “Top Marques” fines
Of the 75 fines, 29 (i.e. more than a third) were recorded between June 8 and 12, 2022, the period during which the “Top Marques” trade show is held. Every year, on the occasion of this celebration dedicated to the cult of supercars, cars are seized, despite government warnings.
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Throughout the rest of the year, the police are “ubiquitous” day and night, assures Fabien Vachetta. The Chief Police Commander clarified that “many traffic checks are carried out every night in order to deter road users from breaking the rules”. It should be noted that specific operations related to these offenses are also in place.
The 30 km / h, not news
If several cities in France or Switzerland have decided to reduce the speed limit at night to 30 km/h, this is not an option applicable in Monaco. “Driving in town at 50 km/h during the night should not cause more noise pollution than driving at 30 km/h” explains the captain, on condition of respecting the rules of the Highway Code and of living together, in particular by avoiding strong and sudden accelerations.
Or, according to the calculation method harmonized at European level CNOSSOS, a car on average 3.7 decibels less if its speed of movement in stabilized mode drops from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. In Paris, the generalization of 30 km/h seems to have paid off on the soundscape. What, perhaps, to change the Principality’s mind.