RTI for speed limits on road of Delhi

RTI for speed limits on road of Delhi

Delhi Traffic Police on Friday came out with new speed limits for motor vehicles in the capital . This is the first significant overhaul in the city’s speed limits since 2011.

The speed limit for cars on the interior roads remains largely unchanged at 50 kmph, while residential areas will be a 30 kmph zone. The speed limit has been raised from 50 kmph to 60 kmph in some roads that have been widened or made signal-free in recent years.

Moreover, for the first time, the Delhi Traffic Police separately lay down limits for two-wheelers.

But, who decides the speed limit on Delhi roads? What are the parameters on which these limits are fixed? Do the Delhi Police review existing speed limits at periodical intervals? If yes, what is the cycle of this interval? To know answers to these questions, India Today filed a Right to Information (RTI) request with the Delhi Traffic Police.

The RTI filed by India Today. (Image: Ashok Upadhyay) On who decides the speed limit and parameters considered In response to the RTI, the Delhi Traffic Police said, "As per the recommendations of the area traffic police officers keeping in view the road infrastructure, ground realities, traffic scenarios, safety of road users etc, notifications regarding maximum speed limits are issued by Delhi Traffic Police."

This means speed limit is decided at the recommendations of the area’s traffic police officers who consider different factors such as infrastructure, traffic scenario and safety of the road users.

Whether speed limits are reviewed at intervals Responding to the question if reviews of existing speed limits are conducted at periodical intervals, the Delhi traffic police said, "There is no specific timings of maximum speed limits on Delhi Roads. Field officer of Delhi Traffic Police and general public may suggest increase/decrease in maximum speed limits on a particular road/ road stretch in view of above-mentioned circumstances."

The response clearly states that there is no fixed time frame to review a speed limit on any road. Speed limits are increased or decreased by the Field officer of Delhi Traffic Police based on many factors, including suggestions of the general public.