Speed limits banned to keep drivers alive
From Correspondents in Rio de Janeiro (Reuters)
By Unknown

June 28, 2005

RIO de Janeiro legislators have voted to end enforcement of speed limits in parts of the crime-plagued city at night to try to cut down on attacks on slow-moving cars.

The city's legislative assembly passed a bill on Thursday to turn off cameras used to enforce speed limits of 40 km/h in accident-prone points of the seaside city.

It was unclear whether Mayor Cesar Maia would approve the legislation, which is necessary for it to go into effect. He argues that most accidents occur during the night.

Many drivers already ignore traffic signals late at night for fear of being robbed or killed in a carjackings. The city has one of the world's highest murder rates.

Rio's beleaguered population, frustrated by police inefficiency, is resorting to inventive ways to fight crime.

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