In a bid to check road accidents, the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways is planning to make it mandatory for all vehicles, including personal cars, to be equipped with speed governors and fog lights. On the other hand, it is set to increase the maximum speed limits for all vehicles.

The changes have been proposed in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill which is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in the Monsoon Session. The parliamentary standing committee has already given its approval.

“Once implemented, all motor vehicle manufacturers will have to ensure that the rules are followed. All new vehicles will have to come equipped with speed governors, as per specified speed limits for each vehicle category, and fog lights. The existing vehicles will also have to be upgraded to ensure the same within a specified period,” said a senior ministry official.

Before the Bill is passed, the ministry will notify revised speed limits for all vehicle categories. For cars, the maximum speed limit will be 100 kmph on expressways, 80 kmph on four or six-laned highways, 60 kmph on two-laned highways and 50 kmph in major district roads and urban arterials.

For two-wheelers, the ministry plans to increase the maximum speed limit from the existing 50 kmph to 80 kmph on expressways, 70 kmph on four or six-laned highways, 60 kmph on two-laned highways and 50 kmph on other roads. The same speed limits have been set for commercial light/ medium/ heavy vehicles which have a limit of 65 kmph at present.

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