Speed limits are usually introduced to ensure greater road safety. Measures for influencing the speed of vehicles generally fall into two categories, legislative and physical. Speed limits fall into the first category whereas traffic measure devices would fall into the second.
Getting a speed limit lowered, raised or extended
If you would like a speed limit to be lowered, raised or extended, please contact us using the details provided. Your request will then be assessed. The police view on a change to a speed limit is important and will be sought.
Account will be taken of the characteristics of the road, such as its alignment, the level of activity alongside the road, the accident record and the degree of severance caused to a community by the speed of vehicles.
If it is considered that a change in the speed limit is warranted then a new Speed limit Order has to be made. This involves a statutory legal process that takes approximately 4 to 5 months to complete.
30mph Speed Limits
If a road has a system of street lighting on it with no speed limit repeater signs the road is already subject to 30mph and as such the County Council is not permitted to place 30mph repeater signs on it.
The system of street lighting in a built up area indicates a 30mph limit, unless another limit has been enforced, in which case repeater signs will be in place.
Maximum Speed Limits
The speed limit is the absolute maximum - it does not mean it is always safe to drive at that speed.
Remember the difference in the stopping distance between 30mph and 35mph is 6.5 metres, the width of two zebra crossings.
The following national speed limits apply to all roads unless there are signs to indicate otherwise - all speeds are shown in MPH
|
Type of Vehicles |
Built-up Areas |
Single Carriageway |
Dual Carriageway |
Motorways |
|
National Speed limits -
unless you are one of the groups below |
30 |
60 |
70 |
70 |
| Cars towing caravans & trailers |
30 |
50 |
60 |
60 |
| Buses and Coaches (Less than 12 meters long) |
30 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
| Goods Vehicles (less than 7.5 tonnes max laden weight |
30 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
| HGV's (more than 7.5 tonnes max laden weight) |
30 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
For further information about speed limits, please refer to the Highway Code website (See Related Links)