Bahrain roads speed limits readjusted

Manama : As per the instruction of the Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to readjust speed limits on the Kingdom’s roads, speed limits were raised on several highways this week.                        

Beginning today, speed limits on both sides of Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway were raised from 100 km/h to 120 km/h in the area between the flyover near the University of Bahrain (Zallaq Highway) and the middle flyover above Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway (Isa Town and Mina Salman exits).

This makes this part of the highway the third to have a maximum speed limit of 120 km/h, along with King Hamad Highway (Durrat Al Bahrain) and Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway, which was modified last week.

However, the General Directorate of Traffic or Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry are yet to make any comments on this, but signs were already fixed on the highway this morning.

Additionally, sources confirmed that the speed limit on King Faisal Highway near Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) was also raised from 80 km/h to 100km/h beginning tomorrow (Saturday). 

According to recent statements of senior officials in the General Directorate of Traffic, majority of over-speeding offences were reported by the smart cameras installed at BFH junction on this highway, as drivers cross the green signal while driving over 80 km/h, believing that the cameras would only snap pictures of them if they jump the red light. The officials clarified that the cameras would report over-speeding vehicles whether the signal is green or not, in order to “enhance safety on junctions”.

Saturday will also witness an increase in the maximum speed of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Bridge, linking the Mother Island and Muharraq.

The modifications come as per the Premier’s directives to reconsider the speed limits applied on the main roads and highways, and modify them to ensure they are commensurate with the traffic movement, and that they meet the requirements of safety to reduce traffic violations and at the same time to ensure the application of the law on violators.