Vehicles approved new maximum speed limit in cities

The maximum speed limit in cities has witnessed an upgrade. The Centre, in a first, has approved the new maximum speed limit for cars, cargo carriers and two-wheelers on urban roads.

Max Speeds

70 kmph - Cars

60 kmph - Cargo Carriers

50 kmph - Bikes

However, reduced speed limits for each category can be specified by the local authorities or state governments keeping in view of the safety of other road users.

Currently, the urban speed limits set by local authorities range around 40-50 kmph. With the increasing number of ring roads and major arterial stretches coming up in urban areas, the Ministry is said to have decided on a higher speed cap.

The proposal for capping the speed limit for all types of vehicles on four categories of roads was cleared by Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday.

The higher speed limits on expressways and for buses on highways was recommended by a committee headed by joint secretary (transport) Abhay Damle.

Once the decision is put into effect, no action would be taken against drivers if the vehicle’s speed was within 5% of the maximum speed limit.

Interestingly, the decision has come at a time when there is a growing demand for the vehicles to slow down to reduce road fatalities particularly with 74,000 lives lost in 2016 due to road deaths caused due to speeding in India.