Assam: Fixed speed limits on state roads from April

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Come April next, all drivers and riders will have to abide by speed limits differing from road to road in the state. The authorities will slap fines on drivers and riders under the Motor Vehicle (MV) Act in the event of violating the fixed speed limits.

Most of the road accidents in Assam occur due to overspeeding. The State government will fix the speed limits of various roads, maybe by March-end or early April.

Recently, the State Transport Department uploaded a proposal of speed limits vis-à-vis types of roads in the state for various modes of vehicles. The department has sought opinions, suggestions, comments, views etc., from all stakeholders. The department will receive feedback on the proposed speed limits for 15 days. It will then place the feedback before the State Cabinet for its nod. The department will then issue the notification to this effect.

People can give opinions or suggestions on the proposed speed limits through speedl-imit.assam@gmail.com.

The proposed maximum speed limits on various types of roads in the state are – (i) 100 km/hour on four-lane NHs for motor vehicles (non-transport) with eight seats, in addition to the driver's seat; 70 km/hour on other PWD roads and 60 km/hour on roads within municipal limits, (ii) 80 km/hour on four-lane NHs for motor vehicles (transport) with not more than eight seats, in addition to the driver's seat; 60 km/hour on other PWD roads and 50 km/hour on roads in municipal limits, (iii) 70 km/hour on four-lane NHs for motor vehicles with nine or more seats, in addition to the driver's seat (transport and non-transport); 60 km/hour on other PWD roads and 40 km/hour on roads in municipal limits, (iv) 60 km/hour on four-lane NHs for goods-carrying vehicles, 50 km/hour on other PWD roads and 40 km/hour on roads in municipal limits, (v) 60 km/hour on four-lane NHs for motorcycles, 50 km/hour for other PWD roads and roads in municipal limits, and (vi) 40 km/hour on four-lane NHs, other PWD roads and roads in municipal limits for three-wheelers (passengers/goods).

According to data analysis, there were 8250 road accidents in the state in 2019, 6593 in 2020 and 4328 in 2021 (till 31 July). The corresponding deaths were 3207 in 2019, 2629 in 2020 and 1789 in 2021 (till 31 July).

According to the road accident data, overspeeding is the cause of road accidents. Overspeeding accounted for 54.70 per cent of road accidents in 2018 and 84.40 per cent in 2019.

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