The legal speed limit for vehicles traveling on narrow roads in residential areas—often referred to as “local access roads”—has been lowered from 60 km/h to 30 km/h. For several years now, the UK has seen a move to restrict speeds to 20 mph (approximately 32 km/h) on certain urban roads. Driving in London involves a very leisurely pace; while that might be pleasant for an occasional trip, it appears to be a source of some stress for the people who live there. A friend of mine grumbled, “It’s so slow it’s frustrating. If anything, it actually leads to more trouble.” So, how will things play out in Japan? Will this prove to be a wise move or a mistake? (Kei)

※Translating Japanese articles into English with AI