are these compulsory speed limits?

[superlightr]

Just had a nice hols in the New Forest and everywhere there are yellow circles painted on the road with 40 marked in them, ie 40mph.

On the motorway home M27 the central reservation signs which have a speed shown and flashing yellow lights.

Just read an article which state that only red circle and speed in it is compulsory ie M25 variable limits and the limits you see normally around but what about the M way central reservation yellow flashing lights are they advisory only? also is the new forest yellow circles in the road with a 40 in them a compulsory limit. ?

any help would be appreciated.

>>> Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 26th March 14:00

[millicrab]

No, as far as I'm aware, and having quickly rechecked Know Your Traffic Signs, they need to have the red circle around to be mandatory. Anything else, including red rectangles, is an advisory limit. This includes the amber signs on the motorway with the lights flashing top to bottom.

Please, if I'm wrong, will one of the BiB let me know!

[outlaw]

Just had a nice hols in the New Forest and everywhere there are yellow circles painted on the road with 40 marked in them, ie 40mph.

On the motorway home M27 the central reservation signs which have a speed shown and flashing yellow lights.

Just read an article which state that only red circle and speed in it is compulsory ie M25 variable limits and the limits you see normally around but what about the M way central reservation yellow flashing lights are they advisory only? also is the new forest yellow circles in the road with a 40 in them a compulsory limit. ?

any help would be appreciated.

>>> Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 26th March 14:00

AS FAR AS i KNOW IF IT AINT GOT A RED RING ROUND IT IT AINT LEGAL

[Beano500]

Whoa - as far as the 40 limits in the Forest go, these were all done in conjunction with changes to relevant byelaws and do start and finish with appropriate signs. AFAIK the reminders painted on the road surface DO constitute a legally enforceable speed limit!

[millicrab]

Sorry, I should have been more specific in my response. In isolation they do not set any specific speed limit AFAIK, though it is possible that they may count as "repeaters".

However, they are no doubt only placed where the limit (hopefully) really is 40mph or whatever.

[kevinday]

I doubt that they could replace the legal repeater signs, but they may have a special dispensation as the New Forest is an area of outstanding natural beauty or somesuch reason. If there is no initial 40mph sign then they are not enforceable.

[the Wiz]

Pretty much all the roads in the New Forest have a 40 mph speed limit. It was introduced a few years ago to try to cut down on animal casualties caused by cars.

[superlightr]

the Wiz said: Pretty much all the roads in the New Forest have a 40 mph speed limit. It was introduced a few years ago to try to cut down on animal casualties caused by cars.

you mean car casualties CAUSED by animals? Right :wink:

[Tony Hall]

There are a few signs up around here on tight bends on NSL roads etc that say "Max speed 40mph". I can get round the bend much faster than that so they lie...

[superlightr]

thanks millicrab -

there were a few of the central reservation lights on ie 50 showing and amber lights, but noting in sight and then the next sign was turned off !!!

So as a 'good' boy i slowed down to 50 thinking there must be a crash or some higher form of wisdom although as the road was straight I coulnt see it, but hey our is not to reason why...... etc and then blow me it a nothing.

So if they are only advisory then i will take their advice and ignor it and continue to drive safely and carefully.

[trackdemon]

the Wiz said: Pretty much all the roads in the New Forest have a 40 mph speed limit. It was introduced a few years ago to try to cut down on animal casualties caused by cars.

Yeah, 'cos that rabbit will survive if you hit it at 40mph, instead of 60mph! I guess hitting a deer at 40 would be pretty messy for both parties too!

[gbgaffer]

The 40 limit in the New Forest is a major pain but unfortunately eminently sensible as the place is populated by ponies, deer and cattle which are free to roam where they want. The speed limits are generally posted next to cattle grids at entry points to the forest, and as observed elsewhere are repeated by painted signs on the roadway. Even keeping to the limit can be a problem at night as the beasts are not fitted with lights or reflectors , and it can be a bu99er to see them sometimes. (as my neighbour found out yesterday, saw animal too late swerved and wrote off his car in a ditch!)

As to Mway central reservation lights, I have always assumed posted speeds to be advisory, but did notice last weekend that one of the ones near the start of the M27 started flashing '70' when I was overtaken by someone who was 'pushing the envelope' Presumably triggered by some sort of under road sensing grid.

Cheers

Graham

>> Edited by gbgaffer on Wednesday 26th March 16:22

>> Edited by gbgaffer on Wednesday 26th March 16:24

[Alan420]

trackdemon said:

the Wiz said: Pretty much all the roads in the New Forest have a 40 mph speed limit. It was introduced a few years ago to try to cut down on animal casualties caused by cars.

Yeah, 'cos that rabbit will survive if you hit it at 40mph, instead of 60mph! I guess hitting a deer at 40 would be pretty messy for both parties too!

Actually both Vectra and deer survived a pretty sturdy impact at 60 when the stupid mare lept out in front of my Dad.