Kerala: 55 kmph limit on racer's road

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Motor Vehicles Department has decided to fix 55 kmph as the over-speed limit in the newly installed automated speed detection system on the Kowdiar–Vellayambalam stretch. According to sources, though the normal speed limits prescribed for city roads are 40 kmph, considering the comparatively higher width of the Vellayambalam – Kowdiar stretch as well as the frequent movement of VIP vehicles, it was decided to set the over-speed limits at 55 kmph.

Motor vehicles department sources said that the actual enforcement using the new system would begin by next week. At present, the trial of the system was being done. Though the initial plan was to set the over speed limits at 50 kmph, it was again reviewed as majority of the vehicles ply along the stretch at higher speeds. Meanwhile, motor vehicles department sources said that an amendment in the speed limits of city roads based on the width of the roads is likely to come soon.

Keltron has installed the new system which is connected to Motor Vehicles Department’s control room at Kakkanad in Kochi. Apart from detecting vehicles that exceed the speed limits, the system could also store details of all vehicles that pass through the stretch.  The new system was introduced in the wake of frequent road accidents along the stretch.

Traffic experts pointed out that more than over-speeding, the factors that make the stretch accident prone was the presence of excess median opening and unregulated entry of vehicles from byroads as well as unregulated crossing. The 1.2 km stretch has five median openings, whereas it should have been ideally two or maximum three as per standards, traffic experts pointed out.