Speed limits in the Czech Republic

Historical speed limits

On 29 January 1900, a government ordinance limited the speed of vehicles inside settlements to the velocity of a hand-cantering horse. In 1935, the speed limit inside settlements was set at 35 km/h.[1][2] Vehicles with two or more trailers were limited to 35 km/h, while trucks and buses were limited to 50 km/h. However, public buses could ask for an exception.

A law in 1950 limited the speed in thick fog to 25 km/h and at level crossings to 15 km/h.[3] An ordinance introduced in 1953 specified places where speed needs to be slow, i.e. under 15 km/h: along processions, at pedestrian crossings, while the driver is entering the road, near buses or trams, near work places, while the road is oily or while pedestrian traffic is dense.[4]

A law in 1960 limited the speed inside settlements between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. to 50 km/h. Buses and trucks over 3500 kg were limited to 80 km/h.[5] Also, in 1966, motorcycles were limited to 80 km/h. Long-distance buses were freed from limits. Towed automobiles were limited to 50 km/h.[6]

Speed limits were abolished on motorways (dálnice), even for trucks, in 1971.[7] Furthermore, in 1975, all of the 50 km/h limits were increased to 60 km/h. The special limits for motorcycles, trucks and buses were repealed.[8] The ordinance in 1979 was the first to limit speeds outside of settlements. Cars were limited to 90 km/h (110 km/h on motorways), long-distance buses to 90 km/h, motorcycles and trucks under 6000 kg to 80 km/h, trucks over 6000 kg and buses to 70 km/h. The limit of 60 km/h (only between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.) was kept for roads inside settlements.[9]


A limit of 90 km/h (110 km/h on motorways) was established in 1989 for vehicles under 3500 kg and for buses. Furthermore, motorcycles were limited to 90 km/h and all other motor vehicles were limited to 80 km/h. The speed inside settlements was limited 60 km/h (80 km/h on motorways), including at night. Specially signed pedestrian zones and house zones was introduced with a 20 km/h limit.[10]

Ordinance No. 223/1997 Sb., which took effect on October 1, 1997, reduced the settlement limit to 50 km/h and increased the motorway limit to 130 km/h, including for motorcycles.[11]


Current speed limits

Border road sign with general speed-limits in the Czech Republic (2016)

As of 2016 there is a difference between motorways (dálnice) and roads for motorcars (silnice pro motorová vozidla) and speed limits are set to 130km/h and 110km/h respectively outside of a settlement where speed limit is set to 80km/h. On regular roads speed limit is set to 90km/h and settlement limit is 50km/h. Inside settlement zone (obytná zóna) marked by a special blue sign the speed limit is set to 20km/h. 50m before level crossing with railway the speed is further reduced to 30km/h or 50km/h in case of visible flashing of a white traffic light. There are special restrictions for certain kinds of vehicles, especially with weight over 3.5t. Speed limit for towing with a rope or tow bar is 60Kkm/h. Speed limit when a car has chains on is 50km/h. When travelling over a railroad crossing with white flashing lights, the speed limit is 50km/h and if no lights are working then the speed limit is 30km/h.

References

  1. ↑ Law No. 81/1935 Sb.
  2. ↑ Regulation No. 203/1935 Sb.
  3. ↑ Law No. 56/1950 Sb.
  4. ↑ Ordinance No. 196/1953 Ú.l.
  5. ↑ Ordinance No. 141/1960 Sb. §20
  6. ↑ Ordinance No. 80/1966 Sb. §9
  7. ↑ Ordinance No. 42/1971 Sb.
  8. ↑ Ordinance No. 100/1975 Sb. §12
  9. ↑ Ordinance No. 70/1979 Sb.
  10. ↑ Ordinance No. 99/1989 Sb. §16
  11. ↑ Ordinance No. 223/1997 Sb.
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