618 Revitalizing road safety: reducing speed limits to save precious lives

<h3>Background</h3> According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)report, 1,19,904 (71.2%) deaths and 3,22,795 injuries were attributed to over-speeding as a primary cause during the year 2022. <h3>Objective</h3> To address the matter of lowering speed limits with the aim of preventing the loss of precious lives on roads caused by over speeding. <h3>Policy Analysis</h3> Speed limit notification 2018 and speed limit notification 2014 The Indian government revised speed limits on the country’s roads, increasing the cap to 120 kmph from 100 kmph for M1 Type of vehicles-(not more than 8 seats addition to driver seat) on expressways. Also the maximum speed allowed has been raised to 100 kmph from the previous 80 kmph for M2 and M3 type of vehicles.(Motor vehicles used for carriage of passengers comprising nine or more seats in addition to the driver’s seat )) The speed-limit on the national highways has also been revised and raised to 90 kmph (up by 10 kmph) for M2 and M3 type of vehicles.(Motor vehicles used for carriage of passengers comprising nine or more seats in addition to the driver’s seat ). Also current urban speed limits are higher as compared to international best practices and lowering down them (Setting maximum urban (municipal speed limits) as 50 km/h for all vehicles can be a game changer. <h3>Policy Implications</h3> Addressing the alarming statistics in the MoRTH report, the revised speed limits aim to curb over-speeding, a primary cause of road fatalities. The urban speed limit adjustment aligns with international best practices, promoting safer urban environments. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The revised speed limits, a result of thoughtful policy analysis, reflect a proactive proposed step by the Indian government to enhance road safety, reduce fatalities, and align with global standards. The emphasis on lowering speed limits on highways and urban areas showcases a nuanced approach towards safeguarding lives on Indian roads.