Minimum speed limits

Mojisola

Helping my son revise for his theory test, we came to the question about the sign for minimum speeds.

Has anyone ever come across this sign on the roads? What's the reason for having a minimum speed?

bargepole

Mojisola wrote: »

Helping my son revise for his theory test, we came to the question about the sign for minimum speeds.

Has anyone ever come across this sign on the roads? What's the reason for having a minimum speed?

I believe there's one of these in the Dartford Tunnel. The reason for having them is so that traffic can move through at a reasonable pace, without being held up by some numpty in a Rover 214 wearing stringback gloves and a trilby hat.

Class_1_Driver

bargepole wrote: »

I believe there's one of these in the Dartford Tunnel. The reason for having them is so that traffic can move through at a reasonable pace, without being held up by some numpty in a Rover 214 wearing stringback gloves and a trilby hat.

I haven't looked recently but all motorways have a minimum speed limit of 30mph (with the usual exceptions), mechanical defect, unusual load etc.

Altarf

Class_1_Driver wrote: »

I haven't looked recently but all motorways have a minimum speed limit of 30mph (with the usual exceptions), mechanical defect, unusual load etc.

No there isn't - see the final paragraphs here if you don't believe me- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7171154.stm

However obviously if you are being stupid the police can just nick you under the Ways and Means Act.

kitchpoo

Outsde military establishments, around the perimeter of Lotus test track and along roads under flightpaths.

lincroft1710

bargepole - HOW DARE YOU????? I did have a 214, but have never had trilby or stringback gloves!!!!!

daveyjp

Very common on the continent - especially Portuguese motorways where the outside lane of crawler lanes has a minimum speed limit posted (IIRC 100 km/h) - excellent idea as it stops HGVs overtaking each other on inclines.

Can't say I've ever seen them in the UK - our roads are too busy. If traffic is heavy and a minimum of say 40 is posted, yet everyone is doing 20 due to sheer volume everyone is breaking the law!

banger9365

Minimum speed limits are just that ,do not go below that speed and are very rare eg dartford tunell and i think theres a road in durham too with it

Thomas_Crown

Altarf wrote: »

No there isn't - see the final paragraphs here if you don't believe me- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7171154.stm

There used to be a minimum speed limit 25 mph on UK motorways. About a year ago I checked the highway Code for this information but it is no longer included. Most of the highway code is advice but there was always the motoring law information at the back.

k18dan

look out for a blue round sign with white numbers in the center = min speed limit applies..

Thomas_Crown

k18dan wrote: »

look out for a blue round sign with white numbers in the center = min speed limit applies..

I am aware of the sign that you are referring to & I have seen them in use in tunnels in the UK. However, those signs were never used on UK motorways.
On every motorway access slip road there used to be a blue sign with white writing, listing all prohibited vehicles & restrictions etc. The 25 mph minimum speed limit was on these signs.