Road Speed Limit in the Philippines: What You Need to Know
Road safety is a major concern for drivers and pedestrians alike. One of the factors that affect road safety is the speed of vehicles. In the Philippines, there are laws and regulations that specify the maximum allowable speed limits for different types of roads and vehicles. Here are some of the key points you need to know about road speed limit in the Philippines.
The Land Transportation and Traffic Code
The main law that governs road speed limit in the Philippines is Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines, which took effect on June 20, 1964¹. The law covers a number of areas other than speed limits, such as vehicle registration, driver's license, traffic rules, and penalties. The law was amended by Republic Act No. 10930, which was approved on August 2, 2017¹.
The law states that any person driving a motor vehicle on a highway shall drive at a "careful and prudent speed" not greater nor less than is "reasonable and proper" with due regard for the traffic, the width of the highway, and of any other existing and prior conditions¹. The law also states that no person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway at such a speed as to endanger the life, limb and property of any person, nor at a speed greater than will permit him to bring the vehicle to a stop within an assured clear distance ahead¹.
Based on these provisions, the law defines maximum allowed speed limits for different types of roadways and vehicles. The speed limits apply to all kinds of motor vehicles on public highways, including cars, motorcycles, jeepneys, and trucks¹. All public thoroughfares, boulevards, driveways, avenues, parks, and alleys are defined as "public highways" under this law¹. Roads within private property are not subject to the speed limits of this law¹.
### Maximum Allowable Speeds According to RA 4136
The following table shows the maximum allowable speeds for passenger cars and motorcycles and for motor trucks and buses according to RA 4136¹:
| Roadway type | Passenger cars and motorcycles | Motor trucks and buses |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Open country roads, with no “blind corners” not closely bordered by habitations | 80 km/h (50 mph) | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
| On “through streets” or boulevards, clear of traffic, with no ” blind corners,” when so designated | 40 km/h (25 mph) | 30 km/h (19 mph) |
| On city and municipal streets, with light traffic, when not designated “through streets” | 30 km/h (19 mph) | 30 km/h (19 mph) |
| Through crowded streets, approaching intersections at “blind corners,” passing school zones, passing other vehicles which are stationary, or for similar dangerous circumstances | 20 km/h (12 mph) | 20 km/h (12 mph) |
The law also states that the above speed limits do not apply to the following cases:
- A physician or his driver when the former responds to emergency calls;
- The driver of a hospital ambulance on the way to and from the place of accident or other emergency;
- Any driver bringing a wounded or sick person for emergency treatment to a hospital, clinic, or any other similar place;
- The driver of a motor vehicle belonging to the Armed Forces while in use for official purposes in times of riot, insurrection or invasion¹.
### Speed Limits in Metro Manila
In addition to RA 4136, there is also a regulation issued by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that specifies the speed limit for all motor vehicles traversing circumferential and radial roads within Metro Manila. MMDA Regulation No. 19-001 was issued on January 22, 2019².
The regulation states that when driving on circumferential and radial roads, all private and public cars and motorcycles may only go as fast as 60 km/h (37 mph), while trucks and buses can go up to 50 km/h (31 mph)². The regulation also states that any violation of the speed limit shall be penalized with a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P3,000 for the third and succeeding offenses².
The following are the circumferential and radial roads covered by the regulation²:
- Circumferential Roads
- C1: Recto Avenue
- C2: President Quirino Avenue
- C3: Araneta Avenue
- C4: Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA)
- C5: Carlos P. Garcia Avenue
- C6: Bulacan-Rizal-Manila-Cavite Regional Expressway (BREMCRE)
- Radial Roads
- R1: Roxas Boulevard
- R2: Taft Avenue
- R3: South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
- R4: Shaw Boulevard
- R5: Ortigas Avenue
- R6: Magsaysay Boulevard
- R7: Quezon Avenue
- R8: A. Bonifacio Avenue
- R9: Rizal Avenue
- R10: Del Pan/Marcos Highway
### Speed Limits on Expressways and Tollways
Generally, expressways and tollways in the Philippines have a minimum speed limit of 60 km/h (37 mph) and a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h (62 mph)³. However, speed limits may vary depending on the type of road and other factors. For example, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) has a maximum speed limit of 120 km/h (75 mph) for cars and motorcycles and 80 km/h (50 mph) for trucks and buses³. The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) has a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h (62 mph) for cars and motorcycles and 80 km/h (50 mph) for trucks and buses³. The Skyway has a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph) for all vehicles³.
Drivers are advised to follow the speed limit signs posted along the expressways and tollways, as well as the traffic rules and regulations enforced by the toll operators and authorities. Violators may face fines, penalties, or suspension of driver's license³.
### Why Speed Limits Matter
Speed limits are set to promote road safety and prevent accidents. Driving at excessive or inappropriate speeds can increase the risk of losing control of the vehicle, colliding with other vehicles or objects, or injuring or killing oneself or others. Speeding also contributes to environmental pollution, fuel consumption, and traffic congestion⁴.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), speed is a key risk factor in road traffic injuries, influencing both the risk of a road crash as well as the severity of the injuries that result from crashes⁴. The WHO estimates that around 1.35 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes, and that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years⁴.
The WHO also recommends that countries adopt a safe system approach that addresses the interaction between speed, vehicles, road infrastructure, road users, and post-crash care⁴. The safe system approach aims to ensure that in the event of a crash, the impact forces remain below the threshold likely to produce either death or serious injury⁴. One of the components of the safe system approach is setting and enforcing appropriate speed limits that take into account the function, design, safety features, and mix of traffic on each road⁴.
### Conclusion
Road speed limit in the Philippines is regulated by law and by various authorities. Drivers should be aware of the speed limits that apply to different types of roads and vehicles, and comply with them accordingly. Speed limits are not arbitrary numbers, but are based on scientific evidence and best practices to ensure road safety for all. Driving within the speed limit can save lives, prevent injuries, reduce pollution, conserve fuel, and ease traffic flow.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 8/5/2023
(1) Speed limits in the Philippines - Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_Philippines.
(2) Here are the speed limits set for various types of roads.
https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/speed-limits-different-road-types-a4354-20220920.
(3) Know Your Limits: The Comprehensive Guide to Speed Limits ... - Zigwheels.
https://www.zigwheels.ph/car-tips/know-your-limits-the-comprehensive-guide-to-speed-limits-in-the-philippines.
(4) ‘60 Or 40 Kilometers Per Hour? Speed Limit In Effect ... - OneNews.PH.
https://www.onenews.ph/articles/60-or-40-kilometers-per-hour-speed-limit-in-effect-even-without-signage.
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