Experts Urge Lower Speed Limits To Curb Road Deaths

Speed management has emerged as the most immediate and effective solution to reduce road fatalities in India, according to experts speaking at a national seminar held at IIT Delhi during National Road Safety Month 2026. Organised by the Road Safety Network in collaboration with IIT Delhi and IIT Kharagpur, the event brought together policymakers, researchers, enforcement agencies and civil society organisations to deliberate on safer speed limits for highways and urban roads.

India’s Road Fatality Crisis And The Role Of Speeding

India continues to record more than 1.7 lakh road deaths every year, with speeding identified as a contributing factor in over 70% of fatal crashes. Experts highlighted that while the country’s road infrastructure has expanded rapidly, speed regulations have failed to keep pace with real-world traffic conditions and human safety limits. Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and two-wheeler riders face the greatest risk.

National Highways, despite accounting for just 2% of India’s total road network, contribute to over 36% of road fatalities. Prof. Bhargab Maitra of IIT Kharagpur and the Road Safety Network stressed that lowering speed limits, supported by strong enforcement and faster emergency response, could prevent thousands of deaths annually.

Rethinking Speed Limits On Highways

Discussions in the first session focused on highway safety, pointing to high operating speeds, mixed traffic conditions, roadside activities and unprotected access points as major contributors to severe crashes. David Cliff, CEO of the Global Road Safety Partnership, recommended maximum speed limits of 30 km/h in cities, below 80 km/h on rural roads and up to 100 km/h on expressways, citing international best practices.

Experts cautioned against treating highways purely as high-speed corridors, particularly where they pass through populated areas. They argued that speed limits must be guided by land use patterns and traffic composition rather than vehicle capabilities alone.

Urban Roads See Hidden Speeding Risks

The second session shifted focus to urban road safety, where speeding remains a major but often underestimated threat. Contrary to popular perception, most fatal crashes in cities occur not on narrow streets but on wide arterial roads, flyovers and signal-free corridors, especially during low-traffic hours.

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ 2023 data, over 17,000 people were killed and more than 73,000 injured in India’s largest cities. Prof. Geetam Tiwari of IIT Delhi’s TRIP Centre said global evidence clearly shows that 50 km/h should be the maximum speed limit in urban areas.

Beyond Enforcement: Designing Streets For Safety

Experts emphasised that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. Dr. Kayitha Ravinder of CSIR-CRRI noted that without speed-calming road designs, safer junctions and narrower lanes, police action has limited impact. Nearly 60% of serious crashes occur at intersections, highlighting the need for better infrastructure planning.

The seminar’s recommendations will be compiled and submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, urging the adoption of evidence-based speed limits as a cornerstone of India’s road safety strategy.