100 km/h speed limit to soon become law

The speed limit on the nation’s highways could soon increase, after the assent of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment)(No.2) Bill, 2017. Checks with the Parliament’s website showed President Anthony Carmona assented to the bill yesterday. The provisions of the bill will come into effect, once it is proclaimed as law.

The bill permits the enforcement of new maximum speed limits on certain motor vehicles, inside and outside of built up areas. Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and Arima are among the places defined as built-up areas. Clause one of the bill will amend Section 62(7) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, to allow the President to amend the schedule on speed limits.

The new schedule on speed limits indicates the maximum speed limit for private vehicles outside of built up areas will increase from 80 to 100 km/h. Inside built-up areas, that speed limit is 50 km/h. The maximum speed limit of tractors outside built up areas is 35 km/h. Inside built-up areas, the limit is 20 km/h.

The maximum speed limits for other vehicles outside built up areas is 65 km/h, while their speed limit inside built-up areas is 50 km/h.

These include vehicles built to carry more than ten passengers and goods vehicles with trailers that do not exceed 3,200 kg in weight. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi brought the bill to Parliament on October 9.

The bill was passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate on November 17 and 28, respectively.