Speed limits and roadworks - Madcop et al?
Discussion
On the A12, north of Colchester they are doing some roadworks at the moment. They are only carrying out work during off peak periods, during the rush hour the cones are moved to the side of the road and both lanes of the dual carriageway are unobstructed and there are yellow signs indicating both lanes are open.
However the compulsory temporary 40 mph signs are still left up. So what speed should I be travelling at - 40 mph or the normal 70?
However the compulsory temporary 40 mph signs are still left up. So what speed should I be travelling at - 40 mph or the normal 70?
corozin said: Read your Highway code - if the 40mph signs are up, 40mph it is...
Not necessarily.
If they are temporary signs and the application for the temporary speed limit states that it is for off-peak times only then you can travel at the normal limit.
Unfortunately most don't bother informing drivers of what times the temporary limit covers.
There is one up the road from me and while the signs are always there, the speed limit and cameras are only active from 22:00 Friday to 05:00 Monday.
I first noticed these roadworks on Saturday 11th (and cursing the BMW drivers that left it until the very last minute before cutting in from the closed lane).
When I went down the A12 last Thursday (16th) the roadworks and the temporary speed limit signs were not there.
What annoys me though is that they didn't put warning signs about the roadworks until well after the last exit in both directions, therefore causing people to queue for about a mile instead of being able to seek an alternative route.
>> Edited by Teppic on Monday 20th January 22:49
When I went down the A12 last Thursday (16th) the roadworks and the temporary speed limit signs were not there.
What annoys me though is that they didn't put warning signs about the roadworks until well after the last exit in both directions, therefore causing people to queue for about a mile instead of being able to seek an alternative route.
>> Edited by Teppic on Monday 20th January 22:49
m-five said:If they are temporary signs and the application for the temporary speed limit states that it is for off-peak times only then you can travel at the normal limit.
Wow, that's a new one on me. You are obviously very lucky to have such considerate councils up your way. In Bournemouth they tend to leave them even three weeks after all the cones have been removed.
John
Any temporary speed restriction to cover safety issues at road works will be compulsory while the signs are showing. If the sign has a red ring around it, you must not exceed that limit.
I have not seen or heard of any limits that have time restrictions posted to allow the maximum limit when work is not in progress. That however does not mean they do not exist. The safest benchmark though, is to stick to any temporary speed limit until it has been completely removed regardless of how the cones are placed around the area of the works.
I have not seen or heard of any limits that have time restrictions posted to allow the maximum limit when work is not in progress. That however does not mean they do not exist. The safest benchmark though, is to stick to any temporary speed limit until it has been completely removed regardless of how the cones are placed around the area of the works.
madcop said: Any temporary speed restriction to cover safety issues at road works will be compulsory while the signs are showing. If the sign has a red ring around it, you must not exceed that limit.
I have not seen or heard of any limits that have time restrictions posted to allow the maximum limit when work is not in progress. That however does not mean they do not exist. The safest benchmark though, is to stick to any temporary speed limit until it has been completely removed regardless of how the cones are placed around the area of the works.
So if I came along one night and took down all the limit signs, and the contractors didn't ut them back up (cos they couldn't find em
) what would the limit be?
mondeoman said: So if I came along one night and took down all the limit signs, and the contractors didn't ut them back up (cos they couldn't find em
If you were caught doing it Arrest and charge under Sect 22A Road Traffic Act 1988.
The limit would be 7 years Imprisonment and or a fine if you were dealt with by Crown Court
6 months imprisonment and or a fine if dealt with by Magistrates.
DONT INTERFERE WITH ROAD WORK SIGNS ANYONE!
madcop said:
mondeoman said: So if I came along one night and took down all the limit signs, and the contractors didn't ut them back up (cos they couldn't find em
If you were caught doing it Arrest and charge under Sect 22A Road Traffic Act 1988.
The limit would be 7 years Imprisonment and or a fine if you were dealt with by Crown Court
6 months imprisonment and or a fine if dealt with by Magistrates.
DONT INTERFERE WITH ROAD WORK SIGNS ANYONE!
The penalties should be the same for contractors who leave the signs up when the work is finished, or more likely half-finished but they have gone off to another job for a week or two.
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