Lille: the northeast ring road will be limited to 70km / h at the start of the school year

Maximilien Carlier 06:11, July 21, 2022

Lille residents will have to slow down on the road.

The prefecture has just signed an order concerning the northeast ring road of Lille which plans to reduce the speed, by reducing it from 90 to 70 km / h from September 1st.

It is a 3-lane national road located northeast of Lille and used by nearly 90,000 vehicles each day in both directions.

"The ring road at 70 km/h: an aberration!" 

This measure is incomprehensible for Romain, a user.

"The Lille ring road at 70 km / h is an aberration. In any case, we will still be entitled to trials. We know full well that it is untenable. No one can drive at this speed and no one will, "warns the driver.

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Except that taking your foot off the road also reduces pollution.

“Emissions of fine particles and nitrogen oxide are reduced by around 10% when the speed limit is passed from 90 to 70 km/h on a fast lane”, explains Mathieu Chassignet, engineer at ADEME, agency of the ecological transition.

To avoid traffic jams and reduce accidents

Among the other objectives of this measure: to avoid traffic jams, but also to reduce accidents.

Since 2019, the Lille southern ring road has been limited to 70km/h.

Consequence: 30% fewer accidents according to the prefecture.

Distorted results for Philippe Dutrieu, director of the Automobile Club du Nord.

“Obviously there were a lot fewer cars on the roads. We are based on the years 2020, 2021 when there was less traffic following the confinements therefore fewer vehicles”, he notes.

"Instead of lowering the speed or putting excessive speed cameras, we should better control blood alcohol levels, narcotics or even the telephone while driving!"