kiirusevälja

Kiirusevälja is an Estonian term that refers to a speed limit, expressed as a numerical value posted on traffic signage. It indicates the maximum legal speed that may be observed in a particular stretch of road, on a specific vehicle type, or under a given set of conditions. The speed limits are established by national legislation, mainly the Road Traffic Act and its subsidiary regulations, which define the permissible speeds for cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and other vehicles.

In practice, the speed limits are displayed on circular signs whose background is typically white with black numerals. Some signs include additional warning symbols to indicate special conditions, for example the presence of a school zone, a construction area, or a double u-turn crossing. In urban areas, speed limits are often reduced to 50 km/h, but on major highways they may reach 100 km/h or higher, except where lower limits apply for safety reasons or due to environmental permits. The signs are governed by the European Union road signage directives, and Estonia follows the European standards for design and colour coding.

Enforcement of kiirusevälja is carried out by traffic police through fixed and mobile speed cameras, as well as by visual checks. It is a violation to exceed the posted limit, which may result in fines, demerit points, or license suspensions. The signage and speed limits are periodically reviewed to accommodate changes in traffic density, road design, and safety research, ensuring that the limits remain suitable for contemporary driving conditions.