Lok Sabha Question No. 1089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Implementation of Speed Management Guidelines
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 1089

ANSWERED ON 05 th  FEBRUARY, 2026

## IMPLEMENTATION OF SPEED MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

1089. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  introduce  and implement scientific speed management guidelines across the country, with speed limits determined based on road characteristics, built-up areas, road design and road usage;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether it is a fact that under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act,  1988,  there  are  no  penalties  for  speeding  by  two-wheelers, whereas such penalties existed earlier; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  relevant  provisions  under  the  Motor  Vehicles  Act,  1988 that enable penalisation for speeding by two-wheelers?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  and  (b)  Government  in  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways has published and fixed the maximum speed in respect of the class of

motor vehicles, vide S.O. 1522 dated 06.04.2018 as per legal mandate under Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as specified in the table below:

| Maximum speed per hour in kilometres on roads in India   | Maximum speed per hour in kilometres on roads in India                                                                                      | Maximum speed per hour in kilometres on roads in India   | Maximum speed per hour in kilometres on roads in India                   | Maximum speed per hour in kilometres on roads in India   | Maximum speed per hour in kilometres on roads in India   |
|----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No.                                                   | Class of Vehicles                                                                                                                           | Motor Expressway with Access Control                     | 4 lane and above divided carriageway (roads with Median strips/Dividers) | Road within Municipal Limits                             | Other Roads                                              |
| (1)                                                      | (2)                                                                                                                                         | (3)                                                      | (4)                                                                      | (5)                                                      | (6)                                                      |
| 1.                                                       | Motor vehicles used for carriage of passengers comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat (M1 category vehicles) | 120                                                      | 100                                                                      | 70                                                       | 70                                                       |
| 2.                                                       | Motor vehicles used for carriage of passengers comprising nine or more seats in addition to the driver's seat (M2 and M3 category Vehicles) | 100                                                      | 90                                                                       | 60                                                       | 60                                                       |

| 3.                                  | Motor vehicles used for carriage of goods (All N category Vehicles) 80   | 80                                  | 60                                  | 60                                  |
|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 4.                                  | Motor Cycles 80*                                                         | 80                                  | 60                                  | 60                                  |
| 5.                                  | Quadricycle -                                                            | 60                                  | 50                                  | 50                                  |
| 6.                                  | Three wheeled -                                                          | 50                                  | 50                                  | 50                                  |
| *If permitted to ply on Expressway. | *If permitted to ply on Expressway.                                      | *If permitted to ply on Expressway. | *If permitted to ply on Expressway. | *If permitted to ply on Expressway. |

However,  under  Section  112(2)  of  the  Motor  Vehicles  Act,  1988,  the State  Government  or  any  authority  authorised  in  this  behalf  by  the State Government may, if satisfied that it is necessary to restrict the speed of motor vehicles in the interest of public safety or convenience or because of the nature of any road or bridge, by notification in the Official Gazette, and by causing appropriate traffic signs to be placed or  erected  under  Section  116  at  suitable  places,  fix  such  maximum speed limits or minimum speed limits as it thinks fit for motor vehicles or  any  specified  class  or  description  of  motor  vehicles  or  for  motor vehicles  to  which  a  trailer  is  attached,  either  generally  or  in  a particular area or on a particular road or roads. Design  speed  is  used  for  design  of  geometrics  of  road  intersection layout  and  various  other  road  elements.  Further,  design  speed  is governed by the terrain classification through which a section of road passes. Speed limit is basically reduction in operating speed compared to design speed to address safety concerns of a particular location. Speed limit is enforced though speed limit signs, which are mandatory  in  nature  and  physical  measures  in  road  environment introduced to reduce speed, which are generally called traffic calming measures.  Indian  Road  Congress  (IRC)  has  published  guidelines  for

traffic calming measures.

(c)  &  (d)  As  per  section  183  of  Motor  Vehicles  Act,  1988,  Whoever, drives  or  causes  any  person  who  is  employed  by  him  or  subjects someone under his control to drive a motor vehicle in contravention of the speed limits referred to in section 112 shall be punishable in the prescribed manner. Sub section (1) of Section 183 provides that where such motor vehicle is a light motor vehicle fine shall not be less than one thousand rupees but may extend to two thousand rupees. As per the sub section (21) of Section 2 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, 'light motor vehicle' means a transport vehicle or omnibus the gross  vehicle  weight  of  either  of  which  or  a  motor  car  or  tractor  or road-roller the unladen weight of any of which, does not exceed 7500 kilograms.

- *****