Conflicting speed limits create confusions!

Mangaluru/Udupi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification to enforce speed limits strictly in the state from August 1.

Police will use mobile speed detection radar guns to detect vehicles’ speeds from about 100 meters away. The ADGP has instructed the Dakshina Kannada police, who are now conducting operations to enforce these limits.

Stipulated Speed Limits:

According to the notification, vehicles carrying passengers with less than 9 seats have the following speed limits:

• 100 km/h on national highways, state highways, and roads with more than four lanes divided by a median.
• 70 km/h on municipal, town council, and city council roads.
• 70 km/h on other roads.

For vehicles with more than 9 seats, the speed limits are:

• 90 km/h on national highways, state highways, and roads with more than four lanes divided by a median.
• 60 km/h on municipal, town council, and city council roads.
• 60 km/h on other roads.

All types of goods vehicles and motorcycles have the following speed limits:

• 80 km/h on national highways, state highways, and roads with more than four lanes divided by a median.
• 60 km/h on municipal, town council, and city council roads.
• 60 km/h on other roads.

Three-wheelers must follow these speed limits:

• 50 km/h on national highways, state highways, and roads with more than four lanes divided by a median.
• 50 km/h on municipal, town council, city council roads, and other roads.

However, in some places, the speed limit is even lower, and appropriate signs have been installed. Drivers must pay attention to these signs, as the police have instructed.

Currently, fines are being imposed only on highways within the jurisdiction of the Dakshina Kannada district police. Fines are based on the speed limit signs installed on the highways, according to DK Superintendent of Police Yathish N.

Lack of Clear Information:

Some areas lack clear speed limit signs, and where signs exist, they are often unclear. In some places, the speed limit is set at 50 km/h, but there are no visible signs. Many drivers object to being fined in such confusing circumstances.

“Mangaluru city roads’ speed limits are still being decided. Hence, fines are being imposed on highways based on the installed speed limit signs. Highways within the district’s jurisdiction do not have a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h; the highest is 80 km/h. In some places, it is 50 km/h or 30 km/h,” said B.P. Dinesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic).