The Transport Department has revised the upper speed limit of all classes of vehicles plying in the State after a gap of 25 years taking into account the “drastic changes” in road conditions.
The maximum permissible speed on four-lane roads for motor cars and light motor vehicles (LMV) other than a transport vehicle is 90 km per hour (the existing limit is 70 km). The upper speed limit in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode, municipal towns, and built-up areas has been raised to 50 km per hour from the existing 40 km per hour.
The speed limits have come into effect following an official notification issued by the Principal Secretary, Transport, in the interest of public safety and convenience under sub-section (2) of Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Central Act of 1988).
Roads groupingThe speed limits have been enhanced by the government for the first time by grouping the roads under National Highway (NH), State Highway (SH), those in city and municipal town limits, those in front of educational institutions, and Ghat roads. The upper speed limit for motor cars has gone up from 70 km per hour to 85 km per hour on the National Highways passing through the State, and from 70 km per hour to 80 km per hour on the State highways.
All classes of motor vehicles will have to move at 30 km per hour on roads in front of educational institutions. In the designated school zones across the State, the upper speed limit for autorickshaws and motorcycles was till now 25 km per hour.
Motorcycles will now be able to speed up to 50 km per hour in cities and municipal towns, 60 km per hour on NHs, 50 km per hour on SHs, 70 km per hour on four-lane roads, and 45 km per hour on ghat roads. Autorickshaws can attain a maximum speed of 30 km per hour in city and municipal town limits and 50 km per hour on NHs, SHs, and four-lane roads.
The upper speed limit of LMV other than a transport vehicle will be 45 km per hour on ghat roads, 50 km per hour in city and municipal town limits, 85 km per hour on NHs, and 80 km per hour on SHs. In the case of LMV transport vehicles, the maximum speed limit allowed in cities and municipal limits is 50 km per hour.
On NH and SH stretches, the upper speed limit had been revised from 60 km per hour to 65 km. On four-lane roads, it has been revised from 60 km per hour to 70 km per hour.
For Medium and Heavy Passenger Vehicles, the upper speed limit in city and municipal limits will be 40 km per hour. The maximum speed limit will be 65 km per hour on SH and NH stretches, and 70 km per hour on four-lane roads.
Goods vehiclesMedium and Heavy Goods Vehicles can attain a maximum speed of 40 km per hour on ghat roads and those in city and municipal limits. On NH, SH, and four-lane roads, they will have to stick to the maximum speed limit of 65 km per hour.
