[Mustang Sammy]

Is it just me, or are some of the speed limits posted on our roads completely illogical?
In what reality are people expected to travel at speeds of 30kmph and 50kmph on major roads?

Below 3 images are from the Thane-Belapur road, which is a massive arterial road that leads to the Mumbai-Pune highways.
At multiple locations the posted speed limit is 30kmph, followed by 50 kmph within 500 meters and then again 30 kmph a short distance later. Of course there is no one who drives at these limits, including the slowest possible trucks.







I once did an experiment in light traffic where I gently slowed down to 30kmph after moving to the slow lane, and felt so unsafe that I went back up to 60 to stay with the flow of traffic.

The Mankhurd flyover heading towards Powai & Vikhroli has a speed limit of 20 kmph .


Below speed sign was captured on State Highway 111 outside Malkapur while returning from a Konkan trip. It is a HIGHWAY between 2 small towns, and a 20kmph limit is beyond laughable.




I tried contacting the Maharashtra & Mumbai road transport authorities to post realistic speed limits, to no avail.

Is the situation similar in other states as well?

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[varunswnt]

Originally Posted by Mustang Sammy

I tried contacting the Maharashtra & Mumbai road transport authorities to post realistic speed limits, to no avail.

You may collaborate or volunteer with SaveLIFE Foundation if you wish to. You can spot their name on various boards across Mumbai-Pune Expressway stretch.

Note:- I am not a volunteer or representative of SaveLIFE foundation.

https://savelifefoundation.org/work-with-us/

https://savelifefoundation.org/media/#latest

PDF Link - Zero Fatality Corridor, a joint initiative of the MSRDC, SaveLIFE Foundation

See their impact statistics

[madhukarmohan]

In Bengaluru, it's common sight where the speeds are as low as 30 kmph on many stretches, and in some places; speed limits are as low as 10, 15, or 20 kmph. The maximum speed limit on the six-lane Outer Ring Road (and the four-lane service road) is currently set at 60 kmph for cars, which seems inadequate. Additionally, I've observed conflicting speed limit signboards in the same areas (60 kmph and 50 kmph at the same place in ORR). It appears that while the unit was changed from mph to kmph after independence, the numerical values were not adjusted accordingly. I believe the current speed limits on roads in India are often unrealistic and should be increased by at least 20 kmph.

[Karthik1100]

In Bangalore International airport road, new speed limit and designated lane has been set. Which is so illogical.



Most of the two wheelers who travel in this road are above 250cc, they put the two wheelers in bus lane with speed limit of 50kmph, this is not all fair.

[hikozaru]

This is why I do not support camera based fine systems and other such nonsense

[channelv]

What's speed limit on National Highways. Is it still 80 or increased to 100?

[rpunwani]

Originally Posted by channelv

What's speed limit on National Highways. Is it still 80 or increased to 100?

1. On the Mumbai - Bangalore highway, the speed limits are as follows:-
2. Within Mumbai & Navi Mumbai limits - 80 km/h; Atal Setu is 100 km/h
3. On Mumbai Pune Expressway - 100 km/h and 80 km/h in tunnels, except on the ghat section it is 60 km/h.
4. Rest of the highway in Maharashtra - 80 km/h
5. In Karnataka - 100 km/h

The Mumbai - Nagpur Expressway is 120 km/h.

Each state follows different rules

[LMOO2]

When I was in my 20's I used to drive my car like a maniac (But would make sure that everyone is wearing the seat belt) but now after seeing so many accidents with my near and dear one I have become a defensive driver. But then too I have paid a fine of 3000 Rs last year only for over speeding. All the 3 times I was driving below 80 kmph. Later got to know from my colleague that if we visit the court they give some concession on such fines but till that time I had already paid the fine.

The concrete expressway (Samruddhi and yamuna expressway) is not at all good for 120kmph speed due to many undulations and badly made expansion joints so I prefer to keep my car below 100kmph on concrete roads so a speed of 120kmph doesn't makes any sense. The roads in India are still not up to the mark and there should be a governing body which should test the roads and then decide a reasonable speed limit so that we can follow it religiously.

[NiInJa]

Speed limit is on the lower side (regardless of the road width in some cases) when there is a potential hazard like pedestrians/jaywalkers or slippery roads on curves or lane merging etc. Usually they should be accompanied by such sign boards as well but not sure what is going on in the pictures of the opening post.

[itsbaman]

I have been fined INR 1500/- for overspeeding and driving at a speed of 79 kmph. The speed limit displayed is 60 kmph. The highway in question is 04-lane NH between Kirtapur Sahib in Punjab and Nerchiwk in Himachal Pradesh. As per the MORTH notification dated 06-04-2018, the speed allowed on 04-lane NHs is a minimum of 90 kmph.
I have filed RTI to get a copy of the order which authorises the reduction of speed limit from 90 kmph to 60 kmph. I am pretty sure no such order exists.
Now if no such order exists, how should I move forward with the cancellation of the challan?
I know I might end up spending more on cancellations than I paid as a fine, but still, I want the cancellation, as I am fed up of branded as a violator when I consider myself among the sensible drivers.

[GeeTee TSI]

Originally Posted by NiInJa

Speed limit is on the lower side (regardless of the road width in some cases) when there is a potential hazard like pedestrians/jaywalkers or slippery roads on curves or lane merging etc.

I agree that accident prone areas or 'black spots' known to the traffic police end up with this magic wand of a move of reducing the speed limit such that the risk is mitigated but without addressing the infrastructure or design flaws which caused the hazard in the first place.

It could be gaps in medians, rumble strips, merging or curve ahead but I have noticed that following the published speed limit (and variation) to a T will mostly result in an abrupt disturbance to the flow, resulting in either a rear ending hit or some colourful language from the passing vehicles

[sukhbirST]

It seems the idea behind these cameras is to fool drivers and make money. In delhi the letter of 2021 is in variance than what is on the ground.

[Drdriver]

This is one reason why I hate driving in chandigarh altogether. They are very strict with speed limits. And roads worthy of 80kmph are restricted to 60 and even 40 at places. Plus the 'always take slip road for left turns' thing annoys me. It isn't consistent within the city and since when have left turns from the roundabout been illegal?

[NPV]

Here are some reasons for the sudden lowering of speed limits on some stretches:
-past (proven) accidents making it an accident prone zone
-recent accident(s) - pressure from locals or media coverage or some politico trying to get mileage by showing he/she cares
-a traffic light/signal approaching soon
-local cops out to make a fast buck with speed checks