100 km/h speed 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.
“Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan looks through the view-finder of one of the nine recently acquired LIDAR speed guns as they were handed over to the Police Service on November 23.”
– Clint Chan Tack
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