The Speed Governor

Karnataka is the first state in India to come up with thethe roads," federation president G.R. Shanmugappa
speed governor rule. The move was followed by atold a national daily.
directive from the Karnataka High Court in a case ofIndian arm of Toyota Corp., Toyota Kirloskar Motor
person losing his son in a road accident in 1996.Ltd. had to temporarily halt its production near its
The State Transport Department's enforce installationBangalore plant due to a strike by taxi owners and
of speed governors on all transport vehicles fromtruck operators.
January 1, 2008 has been heavily criticized. The goodsOver 350,000 trucks, buses and private cabs went off
vehicle operators have opposed the rule as it shouldroads to protest the increased costs speed governors.
be implemented uniformly across India andThe rule would mean to restrict the speed of
State-owned transport corporations have welcomedcommercial vehicles to 60 kmph on high ways. The
the move.speed governors reduce the flow of fuel to the engine
Members of Federation of Karnataka State Lorryif the speed is exceeded.
Owners' and Agents' Associations decided toHowever, speed governors are not tamper-proof and
approach the Governor of Karnataka with the plea ofonce the vehicle gets registered, the owner/ driver can
uniform enforcement. "If the government does notalways tamper with the gadget. If the 25 lakh
defer the enforcement, we will be forced to launch acommercial vehicles in Karnataka need to install speed
State-wide strike taking three lakh goods carriers offgovernors, it would cost around Rs. 15,000.