Now, drive faster but with caution

The new speed limits that came into force on December 3, 2011, are primarily aimed at removing the confusion about the existing speed restrictions that vary from road to road, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), M A Saleem said. So far, speed limits in Bangalore’s central areas differed considerably from those in the outer ring and arterial roads. The situation confused motorists as well as traffic police personnel who struggled to enforce the speed limits for different roads.

Besides, it endangered public safety with motorists driving at break-neck speed on the outer ring and arterial roads. Increased road accidents, attributed mainly to overspeeding, also worried the police.

With lack of clarity on the matter embarrassing the traffic police authorities and leading to bitter arguments with motorists, the City police decided to fix the problem once and for all.

Accordingly, the police have fixed a uniform speed limit for all roads except the stretch from Hebbal to Bengaluru International Airport (BIA).

Speed limits for outer ring and arterial roads were higher than those for the central thoroughfares. For example, the maximum speed limit for cars was 60 kmph on outer ring roads (ORRs) and 50 kmph on roads in the City centre. Now, cars will have to drive at not more than 60 kmph across all roads. The same goes for motorcycles whose current maximum speed limit is 50 kmph on ORRs and 40 in the City centre. Similarly, buses were supposed to drive at no more than 60 kmph on ORRs and 50 kmph within the City.

According to Saleem, the new speed limit will ensure better traffic regulation on the City’s central roads.

Driving in the central districts requires motorists to keep a minimum distance from other vehicles while stopping at any spot. Accordingly, a motorist needs to have a safe-stopping area of 30 metres for driving at 50 kmph, 36 metres for 60 kmph, and 48 metres for 80 kmph.

“To maintain the prescribed safe-stopping area on congested and overcrowded roads in the City centre is difficult,” Saleem told Deccan Herald.

Violation of the new speed limits will result in motorists being fined Rs 300 for the first time, Rs 600 for the second, and Rs 600 plus suspension of the driving licence for the third.

The prescribed speed limits are as follows: Cars (all types) can speed up to 60 kmph; buses, vans, trucks, matadors, motorcycles, scooters, etc can go up to 50 kmph; it is 40 kmph for mopeds, autorickshaws, three-wheelers, tempos, etc and 20 kmph for tractors and trailers, etc.

The maximum speed limit on the road from Hebbal to BIA will be 80 kmph for cars only on one lane.

Driving in the central districts requires motorists to keep a minimum distance from other vehicles while stopping at any spot. Accordingly, a motorist needs to have a safe-stopping area of 30 metres for driving at 50 kmph, 36 metres for 60 kmph, and 48 metres for 80 kmph.

“To maintain the prescribed safe-stopping area on congested and overcrowded roads in the City centre is difficult,” Saleem told Deccan Herald.

Violation of the new speed limits will result in motorists being fined Rs 300 for the first time, Rs 600 for the second, and Rs 600 plus suspension of the driving licence for the third.

New speed limits:
• Cars (all types): 60 kmph
• Buses, vans, trucks, matadors, motorcycles, scooters, etc: 50 kmph
• Mopeds, autorickshaws, three-wheelers, tempos, etc: 40 kmph
• Tractors, trailers, etc: 20 kmph
The maximum speed limit on the road from Hebbal to BIA will be 80 kmph for cars only on one lane.