Kerala: Revised speed limits effective from today
Thiruvananthapuram: The revised speed limit on Kerala roads will come into effect from July 1.
Earlier, transport minister Antony Raju had decided to revise the speed limits for vehicles on Kerala roads in accordance with the national notification.
The revised speed limits are as follows (old limit in brackets):
Vehicles with up to nine seats:
- 110 km/h on 6-lane national highways
- 100 (90) km/h on 4-lane national highways
- 90 (85) km/h on 4-lane state highways, other national highways, and MC road
- 80 (80) km/h on other state highways and major district roads
- 70 (70) km/h on other roads
- 50 (50) km/h on city roads
Light, medium heavy motor vehicles with more than nine seats:
- 95 km/h on 6-lane national highways
- 90 (70) km/h on 4-lane national highways
- 85 (65) km/h on 4-lane state highways, and other national highways MC road
- 80 (65) km/h on other state highways and major district roads
- 70 (60) km/h on other roads
- 50 (50) km/h on city roads
Light, medium heavy goods vehicles:
- 80 (70) km/h on 6-lane and 4-lane national highways
- 70 (65) km/h on other national highways and 4-lane state highways
- 65 (60) km/h on other state highways and major district roads
- 60 (60) km/h on other roads
- 50 (50) km/h on city roads
In an effort to address road accidents, the maximum speed limit for two-wheelers will be reduced from 70 km/h to 60 km/h. The maximum speed limit for three-wheelers and school buses will remain at the existing 50 km/h.
The decision was taken in the meeting attended by transport secretary Biju Prabhakar, IAS, additional transport commissioner Pramoj Shankar, IOFS, and other officials.
Speed limit of buses running on district roads reduced
The speed limits of vehicles running on district roads and other roads have been revised. The maximum speed limit on district roads has been reduced to 70 km/h from 80 km/h. Meanwhile, the government planned to increase the speed limit of buses and other vehicles on district roads to 80 km/h from the earlier set 65 km/h.
On the other roads, speeds for vehicles including buses have been reduced to 60 km/h. The decision was taken after concerns were raised about passenger safety, especially on busy roads and junctions. The maximum speed limit for KSRTC buses on national and state highways has been set at 80 km/h.
There is widespread concern regarding the speeding buses running on the relatively narrow roads in the state. Ever since the speed limits were revised, these vehicles were found plying on the roads dangerously, throwing caution to the wind. Road safety remains a major concern as KSRTC buses continue to maintain their monopoly on national and state highways, forcing the private buses to mostly run on the district roads.