Government restores previous speed limits on motorways and highways

ISLAMABAD: The government on Sunday reversed its temporary decision to lower speed limits on motorways and national highways, reinstating the earlier limits for different categories of vehicles.

According to the National Highways and Motorway Police, the speed limit for cars and light transport vehicles on motorways has been restored to 120 kilometres per hour. For public service vehicles and heavy transport vehicles, the motorway speed limit has been reinstated at 110 kilometres per hour.

The authority also said the previously prescribed speed limits for cars, light transport vehicles, public service vehicles and heavy transport vehicles on national highways had been restored.

Road users have been urged to comply with the notified speed limits, observe traffic rules and maintain safe driving practices at all times.

Temporary curbs linked to fuel-saving steps

The speed limits on motorways and national highways had earlier been lowered as part of austerity measures aimed at conserving fuel. The move came after the government announced a broader package of steps to reduce fuel use in light of the global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran.

The earlier reduction in speed limits had been introduced in line with the prime minister’s instructions to promote efficient energy use and encourage fuel conservation.

As part of the same austerity package, the government had also announced a 50 per cent cut in fuel allowances for official vehicles. It had additionally decided that 50 per cent of public-sector employees would work from home, while staff engaged in essential services were exempted from the policy.

The latest decision restores the normal speed regime on the country’s motorways and national highways after the temporary curbs introduced under those fuel-saving measures.