1964_ROAD_TRAFFIC_ORDINANCE_2 — Page 38

1989 Ed.]

Road Traffic

[CAP. 374

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Provided that when a period of not less than 5 years has elapsed since his last previous conviction of an offence under this section or under section 12 of the repealed Ordinance, the court or magistrate may deal with the offence as a first offence.

40. Speed limit

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (5), the maximum speed at which a vehicle may be driven on any road shall be 50 km an hour.

(2) The Commissioner may by notice in the Gazette-

(a) vary the speed limit specified in subsection (1) for any road specified in the notice, either generally or during the periods specified in the notice;

(b) declare that any road specified in the notice is liable to be subject at different times to different speed limits;

(c) in respect of any portion of a road, exempt vehicles of the North-west Railway from the speed limit prescribed under subsection (1) and prescribe a different speed limit at which a vehicle of the North-west Railway may be driven on that portion of the road and different limits may be prescribed in respect of different portions of a road. (Added 46 of 1987 s. 5)

(3) Where the speed limit on any road is varied under subsection (2)(a) the Commissioner shall cause traffic signs to be so erected, replaced, removed or altered as to ensure that adequate guidance is given to drivers of motor vehicles as to what speed limit is currently to be observed on that road.

(4) Where a notice is published under subsection (2)(b) declaring any road to be subject at different times to different speed limits-

(a) the different speed limits which may be brought into effect on the road shall be specified in the notice; and

(b) any change in the speed limit in accordance with the notice may be put into effect from time to time by the Commissioner causing traffic signs to be so erected, replaced, removed or altered as to ensure that adequate guidance is given to drivers of motor vehicles as to what speed limit is currently to be observed on that road.

(5) Where a variation in the speed limit is in effect under this section and permits a vehicle to travel on any road in excess of 70 km an hour, the maximum speed at which a medium goods vehicle, heavy goods vehicle or bus shall travel on such road shall be 70 km an hour.

(6) Where the Commissioner prescribes a different speed limit for vehicles of the North-west Railway in respect of a portion of road under subsection (2)(c), the Commissioner may cause traffic signs to be so erected, replaced, removed or altered as to give adequate guidance or notice to drivers of vehicles of the North-west Railway of the application of that speed limit to that portion of road. (Added 46 of 1987 s. 5)