Speed Limit increases
Discussion
I was having my normal speed limit rant the other night when my wife said "I'm sure there are lots of roads where speed limits have been increased, you just only ever hear of the decreases".
I sat and thought for a while, but I think she is very very wrong. So opening up to the masses of Pistonheads, can anyone tell me of a road where the speed limit has increased?
Now we live in a society where everything is becoming more efficient; internet speeds have increased, you can order something online and have it in your lap the next day. The big exception to this rule is driving. Whilst technology has improved and vehicles have become safer it is apparant the only real 'solution' the government have to road safety is to gradually slow everyone down to walking pace and fine the people that slip up.
Very rarely is a 10 mile stretch of motorway a consistent 70mph limit, NSL roads are becoming 50's and of course the recent introduction of the 20 limit all over Wales. Surely if a road is set at say 40mph due to hazards and these hazards are removed, the limit should increase? I'd love to hear of any examples but I'd be absolutely amazed if there are any!
I sat and thought for a while, but I think she is very very wrong. So opening up to the masses of Pistonheads, can anyone tell me of a road where the speed limit has increased?
Now we live in a society where everything is becoming more efficient; internet speeds have increased, you can order something online and have it in your lap the next day. The big exception to this rule is driving. Whilst technology has improved and vehicles have become safer it is apparant the only real 'solution' the government have to road safety is to gradually slow everyone down to walking pace and fine the people that slip up.
Very rarely is a 10 mile stretch of motorway a consistent 70mph limit, NSL roads are becoming 50's and of course the recent introduction of the 20 limit all over Wales. Surely if a road is set at say 40mph due to hazards and these hazards are removed, the limit should increase? I'd love to hear of any examples but I'd be absolutely amazed if there are any!
Can't think of any myself. Maybe ask her. You can check on Google Maps streetview - go back through the years for older photos to see a 30 sign that's been swapped for a 50 sign!
I'm sometimes surprised when they haven't reduced a speed limit, especially when you're used to seeing similar roads in other towns reduced.
I'm sometimes surprised when they haven't reduced a speed limit, especially when you're used to seeing similar roads in other towns reduced.
I thought the same as you, but actually I have an example of an increase! Approaching Fovant on the A30 from Shaftesbury, the limit used to be 40 from just before the turning for Bowerchalke and Broadchalk. That is now a 50 limit, up until the actual sign for the village (about 1/2 mile or so). However, what was a 40 limit in the village is now a 30 limit. TBH the whole arrangement seems much more sensible.
I’m guessing this is mostly down to traffic management. Doesn’t take a long drive to realise our roads are becoming more and more overcrowded.
If only we had a competent government who could sort out public transport and leave driving to the people who actually enjoy being behind a wheel.
If only we had a competent government who could sort out public transport and leave driving to the people who actually enjoy being behind a wheel.
Edited by theicemario on Wednesday 11th October 19:36
Swindon increased a few 40 limits to 50 about 15 years ago. A group of fairly pro-car councillors took control of the local council and did this as well as removing the speed cameras.
If you look at the Great Western Way near Barnfield on Google Maps, the oldest images from 2009 show some blue signs saying "Experimental Speed Limit" below the 50 sign. The blue signs went a few years later and the limit remained at 50, and still is as far as I know.
If you look at the Great Western Way near Barnfield on Google Maps, the oldest images from 2009 show some blue signs saying "Experimental Speed Limit" below the 50 sign. The blue signs went a few years later and the limit remained at 50, and still is as far as I know.
Also, just remembered that the National Speed Limit for HGVs on single carriageway roads in England went up from 40 to 50 not that long ago too.
The A9 in Scotland also has a 50mph Limit for HGVs (officially still an experiment I think). Other single carriageway roads there still have the 40 limit, despite many more of them being better suited to 50 limits for large vehicles than many roads in England!
The A9 in Scotland also has a 50mph Limit for HGVs (officially still an experiment I think). Other single carriageway roads there still have the 40 limit, despite many more of them being better suited to 50 limits for large vehicles than many roads in England!
What The Deuces said:
Pica-Pica said:
All over?
In what way doesnt the new legislation apply to the whole of Wales?The M9 under underpass beside Newbridge/Ratho Station used to be 30mph (now 50) I think didnt it? I'm sure I remember my dad ranting about it going from 70-50-30 for about 200metres, then back to 70.
Near Ash Vale there is a road called the B3012.
It's a lovely wide country B road with some great undulating corners.
Anyway - it was notorious for speeding, and unfortunately a number of people killed themselves along the road.
They've put average speed cameras on the road. It's a 40mph road, but there was a 30mph stretch along the road which wouldn't work with the average speed cameras.
So they increased the 30mph stretch to 40mph.
It's a lovely wide country B road with some great undulating corners.
Anyway - it was notorious for speeding, and unfortunately a number of people killed themselves along the road.
They've put average speed cameras on the road. It's a 40mph road, but there was a 30mph stretch along the road which wouldn't work with the average speed cameras.
So they increased the 30mph stretch to 40mph.
8IKERDAVE said:
I was having my normal speed limit rant the other night when my wife said "I'm sure there are lots of roads where speed limits have been increased, you just only ever hear of the decreases".
I sat and thought for a while, but I think she is very very wrong. So opening up to the masses of Pistonheads, can anyone tell me of a road where the speed limit has increased?
Now we live in a society where everything is becoming more efficient; internet speeds have increased, you can order something online and have it in your lap the next day. The big exception to this rule is driving. Whilst technology has improved and vehicles have become safer it is apparant the only real 'solution' the government have to road safety is to gradually slow everyone down to walking pace and fine the people that slip up.
Very rarely is a 10 mile stretch of motorway a consistent 70mph limit, NSL roads are becoming 50's and of course the recent introduction of the 20 limit all over Wales. Surely if a road is set at say 40mph due to hazards and these hazards are removed, the limit should increase? I'd love to hear of any examples but I'd be absolutely amazed if there are any!
You seem to ignore that whilst cars have become safer, the emergence of smartphones, apps etc are proving to be addicting in terms of people unable to stop using them, whether it's pedestrians crossing the road, someone on the motorway at 70mph checking their instagram likes, or food delivery scooter riders who seem to be criss crossing on the opposite side of the road at excessive speeds whilst doing something with their phone. I sat and thought for a while, but I think she is very very wrong. So opening up to the masses of Pistonheads, can anyone tell me of a road where the speed limit has increased?
Now we live in a society where everything is becoming more efficient; internet speeds have increased, you can order something online and have it in your lap the next day. The big exception to this rule is driving. Whilst technology has improved and vehicles have become safer it is apparant the only real 'solution' the government have to road safety is to gradually slow everyone down to walking pace and fine the people that slip up.
Very rarely is a 10 mile stretch of motorway a consistent 70mph limit, NSL roads are becoming 50's and of course the recent introduction of the 20 limit all over Wales. Surely if a road is set at say 40mph due to hazards and these hazards are removed, the limit should increase? I'd love to hear of any examples but I'd be absolutely amazed if there are any!
Zebra crossing the other day in London on a 30mph road, and pedestrian crossing was shocked when the car that appeared to be slowing down in the distance to stop for the pedestrian to cross, was actually rather distracted by looking at her smartphone (it looked like she either live streaming or on a video call) and sped up to zoom across the zebra crossing whilst the pedestrian was crossing (looking at the driver, it was clear she was so engrossed in the activity with the phone, that she probably didn't even notice there was a zebra crossing ahead)
Lowering speed limits is sensible for certain roads now.
A414 j/w Spital Road in Maldon. Went from 30 to 40.
Then
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.7266697,0.665216...
Now
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.726704,0.6652638...
Some say it's because the local Executive Cllr for Highways used it as a route to get home, and instructed the Highways team to raise the speed limit. I couldn't possibly comment
Then
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.7266697,0.665216...
Now
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.726704,0.6652638...
Some say it's because the local Executive Cllr for Highways used it as a route to get home, and instructed the Highways team to raise the speed limit. I couldn't possibly comment
raspy said:
8IKERDAVE said:
I was having my normal speed limit rant the other night when my wife said "I'm sure there are lots of roads where speed limits have been increased, you just only ever hear of the decreases".
I sat and thought for a while, but I think she is very very wrong. So opening up to the masses of Pistonheads, can anyone tell me of a road where the speed limit has increased?
Now we live in a society where everything is becoming more efficient; internet speeds have increased, you can order something online and have it in your lap the next day. The big exception to this rule is driving. Whilst technology has improved and vehicles have become safer it is apparant the only real 'solution' the government have to road safety is to gradually slow everyone down to walking pace and fine the people that slip up.
Very rarely is a 10 mile stretch of motorway a consistent 70mph limit, NSL roads are becoming 50's and of course the recent introduction of the 20 limit all over Wales. Surely if a road is set at say 40mph due to hazards and these hazards are removed, the limit should increase? I'd love to hear of any examples but I'd be absolutely amazed if there are any!
You seem to ignore that whilst cars have become safer, the emergence of smartphones, apps etc are proving to be addicting in terms of people unable to stop using them, whether it's pedestrians crossing the road, someone on the motorway at 70mph checking their instagram likes, or food delivery scooter riders who seem to be criss crossing on the opposite side of the road at excessive speeds whilst doing something with their phone. I sat and thought for a while, but I think she is very very wrong. So opening up to the masses of Pistonheads, can anyone tell me of a road where the speed limit has increased?
Now we live in a society where everything is becoming more efficient; internet speeds have increased, you can order something online and have it in your lap the next day. The big exception to this rule is driving. Whilst technology has improved and vehicles have become safer it is apparant the only real 'solution' the government have to road safety is to gradually slow everyone down to walking pace and fine the people that slip up.
Very rarely is a 10 mile stretch of motorway a consistent 70mph limit, NSL roads are becoming 50's and of course the recent introduction of the 20 limit all over Wales. Surely if a road is set at say 40mph due to hazards and these hazards are removed, the limit should increase? I'd love to hear of any examples but I'd be absolutely amazed if there are any!
Zebra crossing the other day in London on a 30mph road, and pedestrian crossing was shocked when the car that appeared to be slowing down in the distance to stop for the pedestrian to cross, was actually rather distracted by looking at her smartphone (it looked like she either live streaming or on a video call) and sped up to zoom across the zebra crossing whilst the pedestrian was crossing (looking at the driver, it was clear she was so engrossed in the activity with the phone, that she probably didn't even notice there was a zebra crossing ahead)
Lowering speed limits is sensible for certain roads now.
This isn't a solution. It's like saying we have an obesity problem in the UK so we will ban alcohol to stop people eating Kebabs on a night out.
This happened in England and Wales in 2015, doubt it would happen now.
The national speed limits for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, travelling on a single carriageway increased from 40mph to 50mph.
The speed limit for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, travelling on dual carriageways increased from 50mph to 60mph.
The national speed limits for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, travelling on a single carriageway increased from 40mph to 50mph.
The speed limit for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, travelling on dual carriageways increased from 50mph to 60mph.
8IKERDAVE said:
If the problem is people using smartphones instead of concentrating (I agree with you on that BTW), then surely the solution is to eradicate that problem as opposed to reducing speed limits. Basically what you're saying is people aren't concentrating so inevitably there will be accidents. If we reduce the speed limit it won't hurt as much when people crash.
This isn't a solution. It's like saying we have an obesity problem in the UK so we will ban alcohol to stop people eating Kebabs on a night out.
Agreed.This isn't a solution. It's like saying we have an obesity problem in the UK so we will ban alcohol to stop people eating Kebabs on a night out.
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