Having just received a speeding ticket.....

[mdrc]

.....for doing 60mph in a Variable Speed Limit area which was displaying 50mph on the gantries - am I right in thinking that all such limits are now compulsory and not advisory? And that certain motorways have cameras capable of monitoring exact speed and some still haven't?

Either way, this was annoying because it was at the end of the restricted area, where everyone was speeding up and road conditions perfect - dry, light traffic, perfect visibility.

This was on the M1 in Nottinghamshire so be warned!

[sc0tt]

What makes you think a speed limit isn't compulsory?

[mdrc]

Because I had been led to believe that historically such signs were advisory and that some still were.

[vtecyo]

mdrc said:

Because I had been led to believe that historically such signs were advisory and that some still were.

Whoever told you that can't have liked you very much.

ETA: As below. I believe if they're orange, they're advisory. Normal format (white font, red ring = limit).

Edited by vtecyo on Friday 3rd October 11:00

[Matthen]

mdrc said:

Because I had been led to believe that historically such signs were advisory and that some still were.

Advisory if they do not have a red ring around them I believe.

[Clivey]

The M1's variable limit system is a load of bcks, quite frankly. I've never been caught speeding (this isn't just a case of sour grapes) but am completely sick of reduced limits for no good reason.

It would help if drivers were trained properly rather than just acting as steering wheel attendants - we shouldn't even need these limits.

[agtlaw]

mdrc said:

.....for doing 60mph in a Variable Speed Limit area which was displaying 50mph on the gantries - am I right in thinking that all such limits are now compulsory and not advisory? And that certain motorways have cameras capable of monitoring exact speed and some still haven't?

Either way, this was annoying because it was at the end of the restricted area, where everyone was speeding up and road conditions perfect - dry, light traffic, perfect visibility.

This was on the M1 in Nottinghamshire so be warned!

Probably time to dig out your Highway Code again if you didn't know this.


Mandatory


Advisory.

[PanzerCommander]

mdrc said:

Because I had been led to believe that historically such signs were advisory and that some still were.

Signs like this:


http://www.ukmotorists.com/motorway_signs.asp

Are advisorys, always have been and still currently are.

Signs like this:

http://www.ukma.org.uk/road-signs-policy

Are mandatory speed limits and are enforceable.

[jon-]

Advisory signs are the small yellow ones.

Variable speed limits have always been enforceable, that's why they're called variable speed limits. I'm surprised you got a ticket for just 10 mph over, given how fast most people fly through them.

[Stoofa]

Clivey said:

The M1's variable limit system is a load of bcks, quite frankly. I've never been caught speeding (this isn't just a case of sour grapes) but am completely sick of reduced limits for no good reason.

It would help if drivers were trained properly rather than just acting as steering wheel attendants - we shouldn't even need these limits.

You have got absolutely no idea why the reduced speed limits are in effect. There could be an incident miles up the road, but they don't just routinely reduce limits simply to piss you off.
From your post you are hibitual when it comes to just going as fast as you like in speed limits. Haven't been caught thus far, but I'm sure you'll be the first to pop aloing and post when eventually you do get a ticket for "yet more reduced limits for no good reason".

[Foppo]

Stick to these limits I do.Three points and a fine not nice.I always hated the points on my lincence,i can live with the fine.Red is always mandatory with any sign that is why it's red.>

[walm]

Clivey said:

The M1's variable limit system is a load of bcks, quite frankly. I've never been caught speeding (this isn't just a case of sour grapes) but am completely sick of reduced limits for no good reason.

It would help if drivers were trained properly rather than just acting as steering wheel attendants - we shouldn't even need these limits.

Last time I saw a variable limit is was 40 on dry clear motorway in daylight.
1 mile in, came across a SOFA in lane 2.

Was VERY happy not to be doing NSL+10%+2 at that point.

Of course they sometimes make mistakes or clear it up quickly but it really isn't worth ignoring these IMHO.

[mdrc]

Thanks for all the helpful replies

[Clivey]

Stoofa said:

You have got absolutely no idea why the reduced speed limits are in effect. There could be an incident miles up the road, but they don't just routinely reduce limits simply to piss you off.
From your post you are hibitual when it comes to just going as fast as you like in speed limits. Haven't been caught thus far, but I'm sure you'll be the first to pop aloing and post when eventually you do get a ticket for "yet more reduced limits for no good reason".

I'm talking about the umpteen times there's been a reduction in effect when in fact the road is clear and, the weather good and there are no adverse conditions whatsoever. Sometimes I think the wombles are instructed to reduce the limit to 40 if a stray leaf flutters past.

It's like 'The Boy Who Cried "Wolf!"'. - Waste people's time enough and they'll cease to pay attention to the warnings when it matters most. I'm actually often the most cautious person on the road in those situations and have lost count of the amount of times I've slowed only to have truckers come thundering past unnecessarily closely, frustrated that I wouldn't keep going at 56 like them.

[Landshark]

Clivey said:

Stoofa said:

You have got absolutely no idea why the reduced speed limits are in effect. There could be an incident miles up the road, but they don't just routinely reduce limits simply to piss you off.
From your post you are hibitual when it comes to just going as fast as you like in speed limits. Haven't been caught thus far, but I'm sure you'll be the first to pop aloing and post when eventually you do get a ticket for "yet more reduced limits for no good reason".

I'm talking about the umpteen times there's been a reduction in effect when in fact the road is clear and, the weather good and there are no adverse conditions whatsoever. Sometimes I think the wombles are instructed to reduce the limit to 40 if a stray leaf flutters past.

It's like 'The Boy Who Cried "Wolf!"'. - Waste people's time enough and they'll cease to pay attention to the warnings when it matters most. I'm actually often the most cautious person on the road in those situations and have lost count of the amount of times I've slowed only to have truckers come thundering past unnecessarily closely, frustrated that I wouldn't keep going at 56 like them.

Mostly it's an automated system called Midas which controls the limits. It automatically controls the traffic to smooth out the flow so people don't stuck in queues. So in your case it's worked and you've not had to be stuck in any traffic jams!!

Most of the time it works (some of the time the system breaks/sticks/throws a wobbler though!!)

[speedking31]

walm said:

Last time I saw a variable limit is was 40 on dry clear motorway in daylight.
1 mile in, came across a SOFA in lane 2.

Was VERY happy not to be doing NSL+10%+2 at that point.

So without the sign in force you would have travelled faster than the speed at which you could stop in the distance you could see to be clear?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Foppo said:

Stick to these limits I do.Three points and a fine not nice.

You are Yoda AICMFP.

[AA999]

Advisory speed limits are often taken light-hearted and ignored by many... but if you were to be involved in a serious accident and your speed could be proved to be higher than the advised limit, you would/should find yourself in an amount of steaming turds.

[Clivey]

Landshark said:

Mostly it's an automated system called Midas which controls the limits. It automatically controls the traffic to smooth out the flow so people don't stuck in queues. So in your case it's worked and you've not had to be stuck in any traffic jams!!

Most of the time it works (some of the time the system breaks/sticks/throws a wobbler though!!)

I'm glad you added that last line! Sometimes it appears to be running on Vista.

speedking31 said:

So without the sign in force you would have travelled faster than the speed at which you could stop in the distance you could see to be clear?

Quite.

Edited by Clivey on Friday 3rd October 13:29

[walm]

speedking31 said:

walm said:

Last time I saw a variable limit is was 40 on dry clear motorway in daylight.
1 mile in, came across a SOFA in lane 2.

Was VERY happy not to be doing NSL+10%+2 at that point.

So without the sign in force you would have travelled faster than the speed at which you could stop in the distance you could see to be clear?

Yeah - probably.
In my defence, sofas are pretty rare. As are most things other than vehicles, which are generally going in the same direction at a similar speed to me.