The new transport minister says he will increase the speed limit to 120 kilometres per hour from 80km/h and restrict the time transport lorries can use Bangkok roads to four hours a day.
Saksiam Chidchob told reporters on Tuesday evening one of his urgent policies was to solve traffic congestion.
“We’ll start with raising the speed limit on four-lane roads nationwide to 120km/h from 80km/h and 90km/h on motorways,” he said.
The new speed limit will apply to passenger cars and public transport vehicles, including vans, buses and taxis, he said.
He added in any case the policy must be based on safety and related agencies must first conduct a comprehensive study to make sure the change would not increase the number of road accidents.
“Most accidents occur on two-lane roads. Increasing the speed limit will add flexibility.”
Another measure to ease traffic jams is to ban transport lorries in Bangkok except from midnight to 4am everyday.
