Do you know what the new road safety limits are? In Peru and the world, most traffic accidents occur due to speeding. In our country alone, an average of 3,000 people die each year as a result of this type of event, a rate considered high, mentions the president of the NGO Luz Ámbar, Luis Quispe Candia. Therefore, in order to reduce the fatal figures, the government has issued new Speed limits.
Last July 2021, the new National Traffic Regulations were approved, modified by Supreme Decree 025-2021-MTC, which establishes speed control and fines began to be applied from July 18, 2022 to all types of vehicles of the national vehicle fleet. The fines apply from August 15.
Candia explains to this medium that the measure is due to a recommendation from the World Health Organization to reduce fatal accidents and that it has already been accepted by several countries in the region, such as Chile, Ecuador and Colombia; and Europe, like Spain. Next, he knows the new limits, the fines and what are the obstacles to carry out the control.
HOW MANY VEHICLES RUN IN PERU?
Around 3 million light and heavy vehicles circulate in Peru, in addition to 3 million motorcycles (mototaxis and linear). The president of the NGO Luz Ámbar, Luis Quispe Candia, details to this medium that only in Lima and Callao there are 1.9 light and heavy vehicles (private and public) and one million motorcycles circulating.
FROM WHEN ARE THE NEW SPEED LIMITS IN FORCE?
These new speed limits are in force since July 18, 2022, and the competent authorities must implement the appropriate signage, carry out dissemination activities and implement control and inspection measures.
WHAT ARE THE NEW SPEED LIMITS?
- Streets and shreds of urban areas: do not exceed 30 km/h (previously it was 40 km/h).
- Avenues: do not exceed 50 km/h (previously it was 60 km/h).
- Commercial areas: 30km/h
- Residential areas: 50km/h
- School Zones: 30km/h
- Hospitals: 30km/h
WHAT ARE THE FINES FOR EXCEEDING THE NEW SPEED LIMITS?
If the established maximum limit is exceeded, the National Police of Peru, the provincial municipalities or the Sutran will impose sanctions gradually.
- Exceeding up to 10 Km/h over the limit implies a fine of S/ 828 (18% of an UIT).
- If you drive between 10 km/h and 30 km/h over the limit, the penalty will be S/1,104 (24% of an UIT).
- Exceeding the maximum limit by more than 30 km/h will bring with it a fine of S/2,300 (50% of an ITU).
Note: This year’s Tax Unit (UIT) is equivalent to S/4,600.
THE IMPOSITION OF FINES, A DIFFICULT TASK?
The control of speeds and the imposition of fines for speeding is in charge of the National Police of Peru, the provincial municipalities and Sutran. The Ministry of Transport and Communications, within the framework of its powers, must supervise that there is an adequate control and compliance with the entry of the pertinent information in the National Registry of Sanctions. However, is it possible to monitor a total of 6 million vehicles across the country?
In this regard, the president of the NGO Luz Ámbar, Luis Quispe Candia, explained to this medium that the problem in carrying out the inspection is the lack of technology. “El Callao is the only region that has technology to carry out inspections, while Lima only has ten cinemometers. There is no way to control Lima or the rest of the country”he explained.
In the cities of the region such as Quito, Bogotá and Santiago, for example, there are electronic controls and that is what the country needs, underlines the specialist.
