State sets new speed limits for school, hospital & market zones
Times of India | 11 January 2025
12 Kolkata: The state has issued a comprehensive notification aimed at reducing road accidents and fatalities across the state. In line with the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety's directives and the state's commitment to reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2030, new speed limits were introduced for both urban and rural roads, especially in school, hospital and market zones.
"Speed kills. Our CM Mamata Banerjee has been a pioneer in road safety measures. Her ‘Safe Drive Save Life' initiative has been a trailblazer. The current notification is an extension of her road safety policy," Bengal transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty said after chief secretary Manoj Pant issued the notification and transport secretary Saumitra Mohan issued an order for its immediate implementation.
"The effect of the order can be felt in the next three months. Different departments have roles to play. PWD will put up signages; traffic police will implement it and take legal action against the offenders; the education department will include these guidelines in the school syllabus," said a transport department officer.
PWD officials said they have started working on the standardisation of road signages which will come up on all important corridors of the state soon.
The notification outlines specific speed regulations to ensure public safety, particularly in areas with high pedestrian activity. For urban roads, speed limits range from 25 km/hr in school zones during operational hours to 30 km/hr in other high-pedestrian areas, like markets and hospitals.
Speed limits for rural roads in Bengal have been categorised based on road conditions and traffic intensity, with R-I set at 25 km/hr for school zones and 30 km/hr for other areas with frequent pedestrian interactions, R-II allowing 40 km/hr in zones with low-intensity traffic, R-III permitting 50 km/hr on roads with occasional pedestrian crossings or uncontrolled intersections, R-IV capping speeds at 60 km/hr for cars, buses, and trucks, and 50 km/hr for motorcycles and slow-moving vehicles, while R-V, applicable to dual carriageways under specific conditions, allows speeds up to 70 km/hr for cars, with motorcycles restricted to 50 km/hr.
Transition zones will be implemented to avoid sudden changes in speed limits, and variable message signs (VMS) will be used to enforce time-based restrictions, such as reduced speeds near schools during operating hours.
To oversee the implementation, the govt has formed an inter-departmental committee chaired by the additional director general of police (traffic & road safety) and comprising representatives from multiple departments, including transport, education, health, and public works. This committee will ensure the guidelines are effectively executed across the state.
The measures, designed by the State Road Safety Council, highlight the urgency to address the alarming rate of road fatalities. The notification emphasises the role of proper signage, clear zones, and periodic reviews in creating safer roads.