Team-BHP - Raise speed limits by 20 km/h: Nitin Gadkari

Before raising the speed limit on highways, ministry should ensure that all fundamental traffic rules are rigorously followed. Basically we lack in mentality for obeying traffic rules. Insane road crossings at roadside dhabas, villages, petrol pumps contribute to road accidents. Unmarked and unscientific speed breakers at unwanted locations add further misery to drivers. Common habit of driving in wrong direction is like a birth right for some people. Unless and until we overcome these basic discrepancies, there will be no use of raising the speed limit. But I congratulate Gadkari ji as he has kept right approach towards safety of commuters and building world class infrastructure in the country.

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Originally Posted by ajmat (Post 5101928)

Interesting - raise thespeedlimits but us motorists in new cars will still get irritated by the bings and bongs at 120km/h

A BS4 car says I'm going to be quiet, just let me run :)

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Originally Posted by landcruiser123 (Post 5101819)

For the scenario you mentioned, it is not due to low-speed limits, but more due to the road quality, traffic, and a high number of intersections. Bangalore-Chennai (~360km) always took 5-7 hours (excluding breaks) because the road & traffic conditions didn't allow me to maintain a 90km/h and complete journey in 4 hours.

True the infra needs to keep up with the speed, so does the vehicles.

But Chennai - Bangalore stretch is now much improved, I was there 2 weeks back. It takes a lot less time.

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Originally Posted by msdivy (Post 5101290)

Instead of top speed, shouldn't the focus be on *average* speed?

You have aptly summarized the issue. Also there should be a minimum speed guarantee. On a highway designated for 60kmph, the minimum should be 30kmph. But that's of course a wishlist.

With my year's stint in Bengal, I am quite appalled by the state of roads and highways here as well as the lack of safety measures. Barricades right in the middle of the road, for no rhyme and reason. Patchwork repairs done in NH and SH. Also, I am not sure if the funds that were supposed to be sent for developing the Kolkata Siliguri highway have at all been realised.

Gadkari is all for creating measurable impact. It is time he looked eastward.

Maximum speed limit on Indian Highways and expressways is going to be revised on instructions from Union road transport and highways minister Mr. Nitin Gadkari. The same was reported on TOI on 14th July, 2021.

The instructions are as follows - Increase of maximum speed limits by 20Kmph for different categories of roads and uniformity of speed limits on certain stretches rather than effect frequent changes in speed limits even on short stretches.

This will mean that on a open highway, the speed limit can be increased from the current 100Kmph to 120Kmph and expressways from 120Kmph to 140Kmph. But there is a small catch here as local State / Traffic police is authorized to limit this as per their discretion in certain stretches.

I frequently travel on work in KA, TN, AP & TEL by road and often I have been issued challan for speeds of 98Kmph (Cruise Control) to 110Kmph as the speed limit on most part of Bangalore to Hyderabad highway is 80Kmph.

I do feel the maximum safe speed on my Duster on any highway is 110Kmph, where I can manage a sudden intrusion or unmarked speed breaker, but I also feel so sad that 80Kmph is so impractical while the roads and cars have improved a lot.

Appreciate all your feedback and comments on the same. Have a great and safe day you all. Also Monsoon has started and so ensure you complete your vehicle's monsoon check.

It is a good move though I'd reckon it would not find its way onto the real-time world as the over speeding fines are major cash cows for the state traffic police divisions .

Hyderabad traffic Police have been issuing thousands of fines for crossing a mere 40kmph in city limits ( Hitec City , Kukatpally Areas) and seems to hellbent on recovering the revenue losses.

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Originally Posted by Kosfactor (Post 5102401)

But Chennai - Bangalore stretch is now much improved, I was there 2 weeks back. It takes a lot less time.

The time it takes from outskirts of Hosur to say MG Road is awful even considering the elevated road. It's not the highways but the internal roads leading to the city or out of it that takes the time. Even from Sriperumbadur, the traffic to Chennai is dense. I guess you need to pick the right time to travel. There used to be a time when I used to think that Sunday was good, but the last couple of trips proved me wrong. That said, the speed limit of 100/120 seems good enough.

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Originally Posted by nandakumar (Post 5102893)

But there is a small catch here as local State / Traffic police is authorized to limit this as per their discretion in certain stretches.

And that's the bummer!

The local cops can overnight reduce the speed limits drastically, put a speed gun and roll the dough to the moon! And it'll still be a legal practice!

The day safety becomes our utmost priority will be the day when speed cameras will be installed in dangerous sections and the same section eventually altered to facilitate the highest possible speed limits. I hope that's not Utopia.

Given Traffic police can anyway challan for "rash driving" which I believe carries an even higher penalty than for breaking the speed limits, there is no reason why speed limits for LMVs should be less than 50 kmph in the city and 100 kmph on the highway.

In case there is a junction and by failing to slowdown it has posed a danger to the locals crossing the road, the police can always issue a challan for rash driving.

That way it reduces the chances of police waiting right at a dip on the road were the speed limit has suddenly reduced to 40 from 100 and catch you when there is absolutely no reason for you to be doing anywhere close to 40 on that stretch.

I hope Mr.Gadkari also advises the local police to remove the barricades put up by Police at each and every town junction in the highway.

I face this in the Chennai - Trichy highway and this does reduce the average speed very much. I noticed this in the B'lore - Mysore highway also.

There should be enough propaganda done by NHAI and local authorities on the best practices to be adopted by Road users and well as local people. I know it is common sense but it works better if it is reinforced by authorities.

- > They should also ensure discipline on roads with respect to traffic in opp direction, stray cattle, proper crossing for people and proper warning of such junctions. If they built more subways at places where there are pedestrian crossings, the need to brake reduces and average speed will increase. These pedestrian crossings are a nightmare during night travel. There will be a solo Solar LED bulb near the median with a level of visibility so poor that you can't make out if there are people waiting to cross the road.

- > Better (Faster) card readers in Toll booths. Boom barrier type Card readers for Toll booths within city to avoid crowding

There is a traffic signal :Frustrati on the NH at Ambur in the Chennai - Krishnagiri section, which is ridiculous. They should have created a bypass for Ambur or a flyover over the Junction.

Whoa! This is awesome!
Considering an average speed limit of 80 on the highways, 20 KMPH indicates a rise by 25%. Thats speed and much welcome!

I think GoI is moving in the right direction.
First they introduced GST which got rid of Octroi.
Then they introduced FASTag which got rid of manual payment.
And now this.

I feel this move will be welcome by petrol heads as well as the trucking industry. Of course, it works both ways. Now it is up to us to drive sensibly.

Kudos Mr. Gadkari.

I think by raising speed limits it should mean less of 60 and 80 and more of 100 and 120 limits, than increasing every limit on a linear scale.

Please let us have LARGE sign boards of speed limits traversing the entire width of the road. There are genuine drivers who miss the sight of the innocuous (sometimes worn down) little round signages which can be easily blocked by a large vehicle or even an Ace with a tall cargo structure.

Further, as already mentioned in earlier posts we need to be 'informed' about the impending change in speed limits than merely 'announce' the start point of the speed limit abruptly:Frustrati

I think that's a good move considering the road infrastructure has gotten better in the past couple of years and a lot new stretches have been constructed. clap:

I expect the ministry to implement a structured driver training process in India similar to that in Germany.

I believe that will contribute a lot towards road safety and taking advantage of the improved infrastructure.
That should make driving a far more pleasurable experience every day.

Higher speeds are a good thing. Being able to ensure safety would be GREAT.
No jay walkers, no 2W/Tractor/Cow trying to cross at "gaps" in the median is essential!
Nobody wants more accidents (intensity & numbers).

Also, let's first get truckers to use one lane at all times. I've given up on asking them to keep left, let them keep left/right/centre/above/below/whichever they use but don't go slowly and try to overtake each-other 3 next to each-other!

Lane discipline is key to safer higher speeds.
Also, "badi gaadi ki galti" has to go away as mentality or dash cam should be reviewed everytime!