India's Deadly Speed: Experts Demand Uniform 50kmph Urban Limit

In 2025, Indian cities recorded 1,578 fatal road crashes, a slight increase from the previous year, highlighting persistent issues with speeding. Experts convened at a seminar hosted by the Road Safety Network and IITs to address the alarming trend. They pointed to a confusing array of speed limits, ranging from 50kmph to much higher speeds on highways cutting through urban areas.

Academics and safety professionals are pushing for a unified 50kmph limit on all urban roads, with even stricter caps for residential zones and pedestrian areas. They noted that national highways, constituting only 2% of India's roads, account for over 36% of fatal accidents, with speeding identified as the primary risk factor. Experts emphasized that lower speed limits must be accompanied by robust enforcement and rapid emergency response.

Discussions also focused on urban road safety, revealing that most fatal city crashes occur on wide arterial roads and flyovers, not narrow lanes. Speeding was responsible for a significant majority of road fatalities in 2023. Participants dismissed concerns that reduced speeds would impede commutes, arguing that safety improvements, air quality, and liveability are greater benefits. A three-tier framework of 30kmph, 40kmph, and 50kmph for different urban zones received support, aiming to simplify limits and enhance compliance.