Mandatory 20 limits outside schools

[bitchstewie]

I've asked this before and don't recall a conclusive answer so here's hoping:

Driving home today and there are some minor works on where they're putting up some of those "20 when lights are flashing" signs by one of the local school.

The road is usually a 30.

So you're driving and the lights are flashing so you slow down to 20 - at what point are you back within a 30mph limit?

[Hilts]

There should be some 30 signs after the 20 limit.

[Dogwatch]

I have seen the damn things left on all weekend!

[Ian Geary]

The Americans have had a system like this for years: I can't believe its that hard to adopt here.

Same thing with the French reducing motorway speeds when wet - unfortunately it relies on common sense which we don't seem to do so well over here.

[FiF]

bhstewie said:

I've asked this before and don't recall a conclusive answer so here's hoping:

Driving home today and there are some minor works on where they're putting up some of those "20 when lights are flashing" signs by one of the local school.

The road is usually a 30.

So you're driving and the lights are flashing so you slow down to 20 - at what point are you back within a 30mph limit?

When you pass the flashing lights for traffic from opposing direction possibly?

That's the rule I use without issue.

[bitchstewie]

FiF said:

When you pass the flashing lights for traffic from opposing direction possibly?

That's the rule I use without issue.

I can't believe legally that "look in your mirror for the one in the opposite direction" is the answer though?

Similarly I'm pretty sure the areas where I've seen them have no 30 signs or certainly not on repeat just the one you typically see when entering the edge of town.

[mph1977]

FiF said:

bhstewie said:

I've asked this before and don't recall a conclusive answer so here's hoping:

Driving home today and there are some minor works on where they're putting up some of those "20 when lights are flashing" signs by one of the local school.

The road is usually a 30.

So you're driving and the lights are flashing so you slow down to 20 - at what point are you back within a 30mph limit?

When you pass the flashing lights for traffic from opposing direction possibly?

That's the rule I use without issue.

the lights for the other direction, the one with the 'school area ENDS' plate stuck on the back ...

[FiF]

mph1977 said:

FiF said:

bhstewie said:

I've asked this before and don't recall a conclusive answer so here's hoping:

Driving home today and there are some minor works on where they're putting up some of those "20 when lights are flashing" signs by one of the local school.

The road is usually a 30.

So you're driving and the lights are flashing so you slow down to 20 - at what point are you back within a 30mph limit?

When you pass the flashing lights for traffic from opposing direction possibly?

That's the rule I use without issue.

the lights for the other direction, the one with the 'school area ENDS' plate stuck on the back ...

Well maybe those are displayed in some places but not the ones round here.

[Red Devil]

bhstewie said:

I've asked this before and don't recall a conclusive answer so here's hoping:

Driving home today and there are some minor works on where they're putting up some of those "20 when lights are flashing" signs by one of the local school.

The road is usually a 30.

So you're driving and the lights are flashing so you slow down to 20 - at what point are you back within a 30mph limit?

Signs like these which flash up 20mph when active?
If so, there MUST be 30 signs when the normal limit resumes.
If not, the LA will have some questions to answer. Mandatory limits require the proper signage.

Edited by Red Devil on Tuesday 5th August 16:00

[raredevil]

Am I right in saying that the 20mph limit is not actually enforceable anyway as it's not a speed limit sign - but instead an advisory one?

http://www.firstaidquiz.com/viewnews.php?blog=5315

Which may explain why they are left on and there is no 30mph sign after the school?

Edited by raredevil on Tuesday 5th August 17:11

Edited by raredevil on Tuesday 5th August 17:11

[Red Devil]

Yes: the one in your link is advisory (as stated in the accompanying text). The one in mine changes (when activated) to 20 within a red ring thus making it mandatory. Hence the requirement for signage where it reverts to 30 (despite the 20 spending far more time off than on). It's entirely up the particular LA as to which type to go for. A number of factors will come into play in making that decision.

[rscott]

Ian Geary said:

The Americans have had a system like this for years: I can't believe its that hard to adopt here.

They even have them at some of the larger churches in Atlanta. The speed limit is reduced to 25 on Sunday mornings and any other time the lights are on.

[Snowboy]

I don't know legally, but from a pragmatic point of view I speed up again when there are no more kids around wandering over the road.
Sometimes it's 200 yards, sometimes it's more.

Kids are idiots.