School zone speed sign

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Discussion

Zed 44

Original Poster:

1,264 posts

157 months

Friday 5th April
quotequote all
What if a school zone speed sign is flashing 20mph during a school holiday? Do you have to obey the limit? Similar question applies to motorway when lower speed limits are applied to construction areas at times when clearly no one is working or work may have been completed, although admittedly this may be harder to judge.

Actual

775 posts

107 months

Friday 5th April
quotequote all
Zed 44 said:
What if a school zone speed sign is flashing 20mph during a school holiday? Do you have to obey the limit? Similar question applies to motorway when lower speed limits are applied to construction areas at times when clearly no one is working or work may have been completed, although admittedly this may be harder to judge.
You don't have to obey the speed limit as there is nothing to physically stop you travelling faster than the speed limit.

Countdown

40,024 posts

197 months

Friday 5th April
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My understanding was that is the speed limit sign was red-ringed you have to obey it and if its wasn't then it was advisory.

Zed 44

Original Poster:

1,264 posts

157 months

Friday 5th April
quotequote all
Actual said:
You don't have to obey the speed limit as there is nothing to physically stop you travelling faster than the speed limit.
That's very true. How very stupid of me. getmecoat

M11rph

586 posts

22 months

Friday 5th April
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There are variations so if you have an example of the sign that would help.

Wig-Wag lights can be simply to highlight the hazard (Advisory) or to give notice that the temporary restriction is active.

Just because it is a school holiday doesn't mean that the restriction isn't needed though. Plenty of school facilities are in use outside of term time.

Motorways. Again do you mean the central warning boards or the overhead signs on smart motorways?


Simpo Two

85,683 posts

266 months

Friday 5th April
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Zed 44 said:
Similar question applies to motorway when lower speed limits are applied to construction areas at times when clearly no one is working or work may have been completed...
It is there to protect the imaginary workforce. Imaginary people are just as important as real ones, and have feelings too.

You even get signs saying 'Workforce may be out of sight' or somesuch. Indeed they are.

BertBert

19,100 posts

212 months

Friday 5th April
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I'm sorry to be that person. But speed limits are covered quite well in the highway code and the information needed to pass a test. Have you passed a test and read the highway code? If not then perhaps do so.

swisstoni

17,093 posts

280 months

Friday 5th April
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I’m sure if you clatter a kid attending an event outside of term time it’s fine.

Zed 44

Original Poster:

1,264 posts

157 months

Friday 5th April
quotequote all
BertBert said:
I'm sorry to be that person. But speed limits are covered quite well in the highway code and the information needed to pass a test. Have you passed a test and read the highway code? If not then perhaps do so.
I did but it was a long time ago. I asked the question on here because I thought someone as erudite as you might be able to answer the question and short-circuit the necessity of needing to get hold of a highway code and read it.

Pica-Pica

13,883 posts

85 months

Friday 5th April
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Zed 44 said:
I did but it was a long time ago. I asked the question on here because I thought someone as erudite as you might be able to answer the question and short-circuit the necessity of needing to get hold of a highway code and read it.
The HC is easily available on line, and you can sign up for e-mailed updates. No excuse really.

paradigital

873 posts

153 months

Friday 5th April
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Even if signed without enforcing signage (red ringed), I don’t usually have a problem with the zones, EXCEPT they never EVER tell you when the zone ends, only when it starts.

cuprabob

14,732 posts

215 months

Friday 5th April
quotequote all
paradigital said:
Even if signed without enforcing signage (red ringed), I don’t usually have a problem with the zones, EXCEPT they never EVER tell you when the zone ends, only when it starts.
The ones around here tell you when the zone ends. Admittedly it could be clearer.

Puddenchucker

4,128 posts

219 months

Friday 5th April
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20mph Zone limits may only be 'advisory' according to Norfolk Police:

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24191915.norfolk-driv...

"Norfolk police stressed there was a difference between roads with 20mph limits and 20mph zones.

The force said 20mph zones, introduced by councils, normally have speed reduction measures, such as speed humps, in place.

They said if they were introduced without a traffic order, then the speed limit applicable and enforceable would be 30mph, despite the presence of 20mph signs, described by police as 'advisory'. "

NikBartlett

604 posts

82 months

Friday 5th April
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The flashing signs near me show the start of 20 advisory zone but there is nothing to show where the zone ends.

ian in lancs

3,774 posts

199 months

Friday 5th April
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BertBert said:
I'm sorry to be that person. But speed limits are covered quite well in the highway code and the information needed to pass a test. Have you passed a test and read the highway code? If not then perhaps do so.
Rule 208
Near schools. Drive slowly and be particularly aware of young cyclists and pedestrians. In some places, there may be a flashing amber signal below the ‘School’ warning sign which tells you that there may be children crossing the road ahead. Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area.

no ‘must’ there! Somewhat advisory and unidimensional I think and should the worst happen not heeding that advice could well go against you. In any case slowing by a school for a hundred metres or so is hardly an inconvenience.

Zed 44

Original Poster:

1,264 posts

157 months

Friday 5th April
quotequote all
Pica-Pica said:
The HC is easily available on line, and you can sign up for e-mailed updates. No excuse really.
Obviously, I am not going to get a straightforward answer to what I thought was a fairly simple question here. I will refer myself to the HC (highway code) which no doubt will be just as vague.

xx99xx

1,938 posts

74 months

Friday 5th April
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I have one near me that has fixed 20mph signs (outside a school) right next to a speed activated sign (permanently on for some reason) showing a 30mph limit.

Clearly it's a 20mph limit, which I stick to, but led signs can introduce confusion for some.

I am alright Jack

3,713 posts

144 months

Friday 5th April
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Zed 44 said:
Pica-Pica said:
The HC is easily available on line, and you can sign up for e-mailed updates. No excuse really.
Obviously, I am not going to get a straightforward answer to what I thought was a fairly simple question here. I will refer myself to the HC (highway code) which no doubt will be just as vague.
The third reply answered your question.

As for motorway works, workers safety is only one reason to reduce the speed limit there are many others. The official wording is along the lines of, The infrastructure may not be able to withstand a high speed collision.

danashby

218 posts

48 months

Saturday 6th April
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Zed 44 said:
What if a school zone speed sign is flashing 20mph during a school holiday? Do you have to obey the limit? Similar question applies to motorway when lower speed limits are applied to construction areas at times when clearly no one is working or work may have been completed, although admittedly this may be harder to judge.
Want a simple answer? I would. Many schools offer school clubs during holidays and even though area around school may not look busy there will be some kids going to and from their clubs. I would argue that one should slow down near school at any time.

vaud

50,702 posts

156 months

Saturday 6th April
quotequote all
Agreed and the difference is that is holidays there could be kids going at any time, not just 8:45/3:15