What is going on with UK speed limits.
Discussion
What the heck is happening.
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Dual carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, dual carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more than 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Dual carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, dual carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more than 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
Edited by Wozy68 on Monday 9th July 13:30
There are so many badly thought out speed limits now.
The bypass one is interesting though - it could be a means to discourage use of the old road. I live on a 30mph residential road where the traffic was light until a huge new estate was built. Traffic became ridiculous until a relief road was opened (part of the overall development. The relief road has a 40mph limit and fewer restrictions, but it doesn't take all the additional traffic so there are now calls to make my road less enticing by putting in calming measures.
The bypass one is interesting though - it could be a means to discourage use of the old road. I live on a 30mph residential road where the traffic was light until a huge new estate was built. Traffic became ridiculous until a relief road was opened (part of the overall development. The relief road has a 40mph limit and fewer restrictions, but it doesn't take all the additional traffic so there are now calls to make my road less enticing by putting in calming measures.
Wozy68 said:
What the heck is happening.
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
- Dual-carraigeway
all part of that wondrous roads review they did circa 2010 ?
It's all for safety you know...
And when we become the safest nation in the world (I think we're there already population/accident wise)
Then It'll be for the environment
The way it's going, they won't stop until the man with the red flag is bought back out.
What's next?
I reckon all 30's will be come 20's (yes that'll help the environment)
It's all for safety you know...
And when we become the safest nation in the world (I think we're there already population/accident wise)
Then It'll be for the environment
The way it's going, they won't stop until the man with the red flag is bought back out.
What's next?
I reckon all 30's will be come 20's (yes that'll help the environment)
shakotan said:
Wozy68 said:
What the heck is happening.
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
- Dual-carraigeway
shakotan said:
Wozy68 said:
What the heck is happening.
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
- Dual-carraigeway
It’s all a big plan, lower speed limits for safety is more money!
We now have millions of mobile speed cameras - deputised dash cam users!! now able to send their footage in them dawdling around and the people overtaking and inevitably speeding or whatever heinous crime they might commit.
It’s going to be carnage!!
An hypothetical report I reckon is coming in the news example.
The car overtook me and he was going really fast! I flashed my lights and beeped my horn and as he looked back I tapped my dashcam to make him aware he was on video
. The other driver slammed the brakes on and got out of his car, smashed my window then stole my dashcam. So I called the police and they gave me a reference number for my insurance.
cry:
We now have millions of mobile speed cameras - deputised dash cam users!! now able to send their footage in them dawdling around and the people overtaking and inevitably speeding or whatever heinous crime they might commit.
It’s going to be carnage!!
An hypothetical report I reckon is coming in the news example.
The car overtook me and he was going really fast! I flashed my lights and beeped my horn and as he looked back I tapped my dashcam to make him aware he was on video
. The other driver slammed the brakes on and got out of his car, smashed my window then stole my dashcam. So I called the police and they gave me a reference number for my insurance. cry:Wozy68 said:
What the heck is happening.
A two-pronged attack coming from those that believe speed is the one and only cause of every accident , and the other from those that think reduced speed limits means that the UK will meet demands from the EU over emissions.And if congestion is to be mentioned (in reply above), then its an excuse to not invest in road infrastructure.
shakotan said:
Wozy68 said:
What the heck is happening.
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
- Dual-carraigeway
Agree with the op speed limit decisions have become frankly baffling recently.
A peice of road near me has been 30 for years, recently a brief section (200 yards ish) has become a 40 and then back to a 30 for a few miles. What's the bloody point, the entire 30 section is safe to be a 40 so what's the point in changing 200 yards. I hate to think how much of tax payers money was used to decide on this and then implement the change.
A peice of road near me has been 30 for years, recently a brief section (200 yards ish) has become a 40 and then back to a 30 for a few miles. What's the bloody point, the entire 30 section is safe to be a 40 so what's the point in changing 200 yards. I hate to think how much of tax payers money was used to decide on this and then implement the change.
The 20MPH zone is slowly taking over London.
Two o’clock in the morning, 20MPH is not really well thought through.
Cars aren’t geared for 20MPH, take a look at emissions at that speed.
More incidents involving pedestrians, as they tend to walk out into the road.
It won’t be long until average speed cameras are intrinsic to lampposts, and average speeds monitored everywhere.
Two o’clock in the morning, 20MPH is not really well thought through.
Cars aren’t geared for 20MPH, take a look at emissions at that speed.
More incidents involving pedestrians, as they tend to walk out into the road.
It won’t be long until average speed cameras are intrinsic to lampposts, and average speeds monitored everywhere.
Dammit said:
The roads are over-loaded, if you slow them down you can fit more cars on, thus reducing congestion which in turn reduces journey times, pollution and so forth.
But don't let that get in the way of the victim narrative.
I hate to admit it but there are several roads I travel on and have found this is the case when traffic is heavy.But don't let that get in the way of the victim narrative.
What is annoying is that on these same roads a NSL which is now a 50 is still 50 in the dead of night when there isn't a soul about except muggins here who sticks to the limt.
Shuvi McTupya said:
shakotan said:
Wozy68 said:
What the heck is happening.
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
Previous busy A road, now empty because a bypass or motorway has taken the traffic away, is now a 50 where once NSL.
Duel carriageways built to relieve busy twisty dangerous A road, old twisty dangerous A road still NSL, duel carriageway 50MPH limit.
Previous NSL through a village quite rightly reduced to 40MPH, yet new 40MPH limit extends into open countryside for miles.
Speed restrictions on motorways when they are empty and speed camera vans on motorway bridges at the time of day when nothing can travel at more 50MPH.
Once upon a time, we seemed to have a very common sense approach to speed limits, you kind of automatically knew where and when it was going to be a 30/40 area, and where it would be the NSL. Now at times especially driving somewhere new, if I happen to miss the sign, I haven't got a clue what the limit might be.
I'm not arguing against speed limits, but is it just me, that feels they are just becoming confusing (which surely is a bad thing in itself from a safety point of view) and at times make little sense?
- Dual-carraigeway
Funny this should crop up, I myself was thinking this on the way to work this morning. Stretch of road around Bath which is a dual-carriageway and it's 50, seems unnecessary to me as it's generally quiet and it feels really slow going 50 for the several mile stretch for which it spans. Furthermore, all the roads leading to it are small B roads where it's not safe to overtake, so if you get caught behind a numpty it's the only safe place to get past them, but keeping within the speed limit can make it difficult to do so at times...it's pretty tedious! 
It's the complexity of it as well. I used to be able to drive the 1/2 mile out of my village going from a 30 for the first 1/4mile then 40 for another 1/4mile then to NSL. Now it is 20 for the the first couple of hundred yards, then 30 for a couple of hundred more then 40mph and then within 200yards it goes back to 30 then to NSL then drops to 50. The budget for signs and their lighting must use up all my council tax
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