Temporary speed limits

[Vaux]

Where temp limits are in place, for example road works on a motorway, is it OK (legal) to bring the limit down from 70 to 40 directly? I read somewhere that the reduction should not be more than 20 mph at a time - so 70-50-40.

[Vaux]

vonhosen said:

With roadworks you will generally get a 3/4 mile warning to the reduction.

Only helps if you look though. Yesterday a nasty RTC on M56 J12 coming into a SPECS monitored 40 mph - always get a lot of heavy braking at the 40 signs (although the cameras are a few hundred yards away). Mercedes got it very wrong and ended up parked on its side up the verge in the trees.
I can't help thinking a more gradual speed reduction would ease the traffic flow.

[Vaux]

tvrgit said:

Doesn't policy pander enough to idiots already then?

Well, yes. I know the answer is they should see the advanced warning signs, see the speed limit signs and pass them at the legal speed (if safe to do so etc.) or they shouldn't be allowed on a motorway.

But most of them can't.

My point is if the change in speed limit wasn't so "extreme", people wouldn't think "$hit, I really have to slow down now!", BRAKE, and cause problems for others. Like the Police, Ambulance, Fire and HATO who had to deal with the RTC yesterday.