Government is actively considering increasing the speed limit on the two main highways from the current 80 kmph to 100 kmph and is also looking at the speed limits for other roads, acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert confirmed yesterday.
A recommendation on the speed limit issue is expected from Works Ministry technocrats in a week, Works Minister Fitzgerald Hinds added on the issue.
Hinds, who made the opening statements on the matter at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, said there had been a lot of debate about the speed limit since speed measuring devices were introduced on April 29.
He said he had not seen a petition rumoured to have been mounted by people who were unhappy with the current 80 kmph limit and no-one had approached him on the matter.
Hinds explained the speed limited was based upon scientific means, including the road design.
He, however, noted the speed limit matter was under review constantly and ministry experts who have been monitoring the issue would be giving him feedback in a week. Following analysis of data, he said, a decision would be made on the way forward.
Some quarters, Hinds noted, had suggested the limit be increased to 100 kmph on specific roadways, such as the two main highways, particularly.
Imbert, subsequently clarifying the situation, said he had asked Hinds to come and speak on the matter yesterday, since he did not want the speed limit matter to become an issue that has a “... life of its own and it gets out of control.
“I want the population to know decisively that we are actively considering, as a Government, the increase of the speed limit on the Churchill-Roosevelt, Beetham, Uriah Butler and Solomon Hochoy Highways to 100 kmph and then looking at all the other roads... and all the quirk and anomalies,” he added.
Imbert said the introduction of new processes, such as the speed measuring “guns”, had caused issues to manifest.
“So we wanted to be decisive and ease the tension where this is concerned and state the Government’s intention as clearly and decisively as possible,” he said.
Imbert said he had gotten messages from the business community and members of the public that the current 80 kmph speed limit was causing traffic congestion and leading to other problems.
He acknowledged the limit could cause issues, such as congestion and lack of productivity, and Government, therefore, had to balance safety, productivity and convenience in making decisions on the matter.
He said Government intended to enforce the law but also intended to pursue actively the 100 kmph on the main highways. For other roads, a proposed 65 kmph would be examined, he added.
Imbert said Government would also examine a 50 kmph speed limit for the Diego Martin Highway. He said Works’ Traffic Management officials had held discussions up to yesterday and had recommended an upward adjustment of the speed limit for that area of 50 kmph. He said they looked at the geography, lane widths and other issues.
A speed limit was based on a comfortable, safe speed and is the speed which 85 per cent of drivers use when there were no restraints, he said. Imbert said if authorities said leeway would be given on the speed limit, it would have to be formalised in a regulation or order of the law.
Hinds, however, commended the driving public, whom he said had been driving better under the 80 kmph limit since the ”speed gun” system was implemented.
Arrive Alive’s Brent Batson or Sharon Inglefield did not immediately answer calls on the 100 kmph proposal.
Local Govt poll before year-end
Local Government polls will “very likely” be held before year end, Rural Development/Local Government Minister Franklin Khan said yesterday.
“Under no circumstances will Local Government polls be postponed,” he added.
He said polls were due between October 21, 2016 and January 21, 2017 but it would be kept within that time and “very likely” would be held before year-end.
Khan said today’s Parliament session would debate a motion on the draft Election and Boundaries Commission order. He said that would clear the way for Local Government polls to be held.
He noted the PNM had held a series of consultations on Local Government reforms all over T&T, concluding recently in Diego Martin. Proposals in reform plans include having full time councillors and for elected aldermen.
He said Government would bring reform legislation to Parliament in September. He said that even if Local Government reform plans were not fully instituted, polls would be held before year-end.