WHAT IS THE SPEED LIMIT IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO?

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The speed limit on the roads of T&T depends on two factors: 

1. The area in which you are driving.
2. The type/class of vehicle you are driving.

The Second Schedule of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act contains the speed limits based on the area and type of vehicle being driven. This Second Schedule has since been amended by the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) No. 2 Act of 2017. 

As a result, the Second Schedule of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act now looks like this:

Outside a built up area means roadways like highways and within a built up area means roadways within cities and towns.

Regular sedans such as the Toyota Corolla and Kia Cerato and SUVs such as the Toyota Rav4, Kia Sportage and Nissan X-Trail will be considered to be “any other motor vehicle” and has a speed limit of 100km/hr on the highway and 50km/hr in a city or town.

Pick up trucks such as the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Ford Ranger will be considered to be “goods vehicles” and have a speed limit of 100km/hr on the highway and 50km/hr in a city or town without a trailer.

Driving over the speed limit would draw a fine of $1000TT; this is according to item no. 68 in the First Schedule of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Enforcement and Administration) Act.

If this $1000TT fine is not paid within the time specified on the ticket, proceedings will commence in the Magistrate’s Court.
According to section 62(5) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act:
“62 (5) Any person who drives a motor vehicle on any road in contravention of the provisions of subsection (1) is liable to a fine of six thousand dollars and to be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving permit for such period as the Court shall think fit.”

Therefore a Magistrate can impose a fine of up to $6000TT for driving over the speed limit and can disqualify you from holding or obtaining a driving permit for such period as the Magistrate thinks fit.

If a constable (police officer) stops you because you allegedly drove over the speed limit, the constable must:
(a) Inform you that you have:
(i) exceeded the speed limit as determined with the use of a speed measuring device; and
(ii) committed an offence under section 62(5) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (shown above).
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The constable must also:
(b) deliver to you – the driver of the motor vehicle, a print out from the speed measuring device which:
(i) purports to be evidence of the speed at which you were driving the motor vehicle;
(ii) includes a photograph of the vehicle identifying the registration plate;
(iii) bears an endorsement by the constable who operated the device, stating the date and time of the offence, the place where the offence occurred and that the constable is qualified to operate the device; and
(iv) bears the signature of the constable who operated the device.

Important Notice: This post does not constitute or provide legal advice. Always consult with a suitably qualified attorney-at-law on any legal problem or issue.

Law For All is managed by the Aurora Chambers Legal Practice.

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