Speed limits in the Philippines

Speed limits in the Philippines are specified in Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines, which took effect on its approval on June 20, 1964.[1] The act covers a number of areas other areas than speed limits, and was amended regarding some of those areas by Republic Act No. 10930, which was approved on August 2, 2017.[2] As of 30 July 2022, RA 4136 is listed as current by the Land Transportation Office of the Philippines.[3]

A speed limit sign used in the Philippines

Nonwithstanding the above, the generally applied speed limit in the Philippines as of 2021 is 60 km/h (37 mph) on most highways and 100 km/h (62 mph) is the maximum on most expressways. The speed limit sign is a red circle with numbers inside as in most countries including Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

Speed limits specified by RA 4136

Speed limits defined by RA 4136 only apply to all kinds of motor vehicles on public highways, including cars, motorcycles, jeepneys, and trucks.[1]

All public thoroughfares, boulevards, driveways, avenues, parks, and alleys are defined as "public highways" under this act. As such, speed limits do not apply to corridors within private property.[1]

Maximum allowable speeds[1]
Roadway type Passenger cars and motorcyclesMotor trucks and buses
Open country roads, with no “blind corners” not closely bordered by habitations 80 km/h50 km/h
On “through streets” or boulevards, clear of traffic, with no ” blind corners,” when so designated 40 km/h30 km/h
On city and municipal streets, with light traffic, when not designated “through streets” 30 km/h30 km/h
Through crowded streets, approaching intersections at “blind corners,” passing school zones, passing other vehicles which are stationary, or for similar dangerous circumstances 20 km/h20 km/h
The rates of speed hereinabove prescribed shall not apply to the following:
  1. A physician or his driver when the former responds to emergency calls;
  2. The driver of a hospital ambulance on the way to and from the place of accident or other emergency;
  3. Any driver bringing a wounded or sick person for emergency treatment to a hospital, clinic, or any other similar place;
  4. The driver of a motor vehicle belonging to the Armed Forces while in use for official purposes in times of riot, insurrection or invasion;
  5. The driver of a vehicle, when he or his passengers are in pursuit of a criminal;
  6. A law-enforcement officer who is trying to overtake a violator of traffic laws; and
  7. The driver officially operating a motor vehicle of any fire department, provided that exemption shall not be construed to allow unless or unnecessary fast driving of drivers afore-mentioned.

Speed limits on expressways

As of 2021, maximum speed limits on expressways are as follows:[4]

  • Maximum speed for cars and 400cc motorcycles (except Skyway Stage 3) – 100 km/h (62 mph)
  • Maximum speed for trucks and buses (except SCTEX and TPLEX) – 80 km/h (50 mph)
  • Minimum speed for all vehicles – 60 km/h (37 mph)
  • Maximum speed on NAIAX and Skyway Stage 3[5][6] – 60 km/h (37 mph)

Speed limits on highways in Metro Manila

In Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) defines a 50 to 60 km/h (31 to 37 mph) maximum speed limit on radial and circumferential roads that it has jurisdiction over, including Commonwealth Avenue[7] and Macapagal Boulevard.[8]

  • Cars and motorcycles [9] – 60 km/h (37 mph)
  • Trucks and buses[10] – 50 km/h (31 mph)

Enforcement

Enforcement of speed limits are low in the Philippines due to lack of awareness of the mandate set by RA 4136.[11] To address this concern, DOTr, DPWH and DILG issued a joint memorandum in 2018 addressed to Local Government Units regarding the implementation of RA 4136. The LGUs are enjoined to adopt guidelines on road classification, speed limit setting and enforcement and collection and analysis of road crash data.[12] The United Nations Road Safety Fund has conducted training-of-trainers for law enforcement personnel who can then in turn train others in practical speed enforcement training.[13]

References
  1. Republic Act No. 4136 (June 20, 1964). Land Transportation and Traffic Code (PDF).Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Republic Act No. 10930 (August 2, 2017). An Act Rationalizing and Strengthening the Policy Regarding Driver’s License by Extending the Validity Period of Drivers’ Licenses, and Penalizing Acts in Violation of Its Issuance and Application Amending for Those Purposes Section 23 of Republic Act No. 4136, as Amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 398 and Executive Order No. 1011, Otherwise Known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (PDF).Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. "Republic Act". Land Transportation Office (Philippines). Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  4. "Speed Limit". Toll Regulatory Board. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  5. Solidum, M. Miggi. "Here's a reminder of why we should observe Skyway Stage 3's 60km/h speed limit". visor.ph. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  6. "RSA: 60 kph speed limit on Skyway Stage 3 stays - Motorcycle News". MotoPinas.com. April 15, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  7. "MMDA Expands Coverage of 60-km/h Speed Limit on Commonwealth Avenue". Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. February 26, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  8. "MMDA Regulation 11-003" (PDF). Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  9. Ramirez, Robertzon (April 5, 2019). "MMDA to apprehend speed limit violators on EDSA, major roads". Philstar Global. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  10. "MMDA Regulation 17-003" (PDF). Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  11. "Road Safety – Imagine law". Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  12. "Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-001: Guidelines and Standards for the Classifications of Roads, Setting of Speed Limits Under Republic Act No. 4136, and Collection of Road Crash Data" (PDF). Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  13. "UN Road Safety Fund supports training to enforce speed limit laws in the Philippines | UNECE". unece.org. February 6, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
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