Speed limit (?) markings
Discussion
I recently visited a friend who has moved to a rural area I am not familiar with.
After leaving his house I took a wrong turning and eventually emerged from the country lanes on to a classified road (not sure whether it was an 'A' or 'B'). Shortly thereafter I came across a white painted number within a white outer ring on the tarmac. About a mile further on I encountered another one.
My question is if these refer, as I subsequently suspected, to some sort of speed restriction are they legally enforceable or merely advisory?
After leaving his house I took a wrong turning and eventually emerged from the country lanes on to a classified road (not sure whether it was an 'A' or 'B'). Shortly thereafter I came across a white painted number within a white outer ring on the tarmac. About a mile further on I encountered another one.
My question is if these refer, as I subsequently suspected, to some sort of speed restriction are they legally enforceable or merely advisory?
David_s said:
Flat in Fifth said:
Yes they will be limit repeaters.
In some areas eg New Forest, the normal repeaters ie round red ringed signs on posts are not used because of impact on the environment.
Don't they need to be inside a red circle to be valid?In some areas eg New Forest, the normal repeaters ie round red ringed signs on posts are not used because of impact on the environment.
Flat in Fifth said:
You'll have had the red ringed signs at the entry points to the limit, the markings on the road don't have to be red ringed.
There is a road somewhere in South Wales that is a 30mph limit.Halfway through, there are 20mph roundels on the road, then in a few hundred metres 30mph roundels. No signs at all.
Is the 20mph limit legal?
robwales said:
Flat in Fifth said:
You'll have had the red ringed signs at the entry points to the limit, the markings on the road don't have to be red ringed.
There is a road somewhere in South Wales that is a 30mph limit.Halfway through, there are 20mph roundels on the road, then in a few hundred metres 30mph roundels. No signs at all.
Is the 20mph limit legal?
Flat in Fifth said:
Yes they will be limit repeaters.
In some areas eg New Forest, the normal repeaters ie round red ringed signs on posts are not used because of impact on the environment.
My understanding is that these are used where there is a problem of drivers failing to observe the limit and are there to SUPPLEMENT, where used Repeaters which are required in the first instance.In some areas eg New Forest, the normal repeaters ie round red ringed signs on posts are not used because of impact on the environment.
Research on the Web tens to confirm this:
Speed limit roundels painted on the road surface may be used to supplement a system of speed limit repeaters, but on their own do not constitute a legal system of speed limit marking. For a limit to be enforceable, the proper number of repeaters must also be present.
An exception to this is that the 40 mph limits covering large areas of Dartmoor and the New Forest have a specific derogation from the need to have repeaters because of environmental considerations, and are therefore marked solely by carriageway roundels.
They can be used in conjunction with upright 20, 30, 40, and 50 speed limit signs at speed limit boundaries, and in conjunction with upright speed limit repeater signs. 60mph speed limit roundel carriageway markings can only be used on dual carriageway roads with a 60mph limit.
Upright repeater signs are required on 30mph speed limit roads without a system of street lighting and on roads with 40mph or 50mph speed limits. Upright 30mph repeater signs (and hence speed limit roundel carriageway markings) are not allowed on 30mph roads with a system of street lighting.
dvd
Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Sunday 17th June 15:41
Dwight VanDriver said:
Speed limit roundels painted on the road surface may be used to supplement a system of speed limit repeaters, but on their own do not constitute a legal system of speed limit marking. For a limit to be enforceable, the proper number of repeaters must also be present.
An exception to this is that the 40 mph limits covering large areas of Dartmoor and the New Forest have a specific derogation from the need to have repeaters because of environmental considerations, and are therefore marked solely by carriageway roundels.
Interesting. Thanks for the heads up on this. My recent experience suggests that the Dartmoor/New Forest arrangement has been extended to other similar rural areas.An exception to this is that the 40 mph limits covering large areas of Dartmoor and the New Forest have a specific derogation from the need to have repeaters because of environmental considerations, and are therefore marked solely by carriageway roundels.
For the avoidance of doubt, do I understand correctly that in areas which have been derogated the roundels have the same effect as upright repeaters which would otherwise be required? So exceeding the figure painted on the carriageway could result in a successful prosecution?
Hmmm. If so, I'm going to have to allow for incressed journey times when I visit my friend in future!
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