Changing limits to 40 mph

James_N

Several country road nearby have changed to a new 40 mph limit from the previous 60 mph. One 10 mile stretch is controlled by average speed cameras, another has repeater 40 signs painted on the road every few hundred yards, and another newer stretch has just two signs at the start of the section, and absolutely nothing more for miles to let you know / remind you this is a 40 mph zone. You could, for instance, join this road from a side entrance part way along, and not be informed at all.

Are there rules about signage?

Exemplar

Yes there are, http://bfy.tw/OSVj

James_N

Exemplar wrote: »

Yes there are, http://bfy.tw/OSVj

Thank you for taking the trouble to be an !!!! rather than informative. So helpful.

AdrianC

James_N wrote: »

Several country road nearby have changed to a new 40 mph limit from the previous 60 mph. One 10 mile stretch is controlled by average speed cameras, another has repeater 40 signs painted on the road every few hundred yards, and another newer stretch has just two signs at the start of the section, and absolutely nothing more for miles to let you know / remind you this is a 40 mph zone. You could, for instance, join this road from a side entrance part way along, and not be informed at all.

Are there rules about signage?

Yes, absolutely.

There needs to be limit signs at every change - including where a change comes at a junction - and there needs to be regular repeaters where the limit isn't the default. The format of the signage is legally defined, and painting on the road does not count.

If they aren't followed, the ill-signed limit is legally unenforceable, and reverts to the default, which may be 30 or may be NSL, depending on street lighting.

Aretnap

AdrianC wrote: »

Yes, absolutely.

There needs to be limit signs at every change - including where a change comes at a junction - and there needs to be regular repeaters where the limit isn't the default. The format of the signage is legally defined, and painting on the road does not count.

Painting on the road (or any other form of alternative signage) does count if it has been approved by the secretary of state, and roundels on the road are used legally in place of repeaters where repeaters would be undesirable for scenic or environmental reasons, for example on Dartmoor and in the New Forest.

James_N

I drove both sections of road today.

Both were once 60 mph, but are now 40 mph. Both are county road and it goes without saying that both are totally unlit.

Road One: has indicator signs at the start of the section and over 4 / 5 miles has roundels painted on the road about every 1/3rd of a mile.

Road Two: has indicator signs at the start of the section, and absolutely no other indications over a distance of about 6 miles, until you come to a 20 mph section.

Is the speed limit claimed on road 2 enforceable? Would a speeding ticket on this road be valid? Are the local council taking their time in getting around to it / inept and unaware?

Honey_Badger

James_N wrote: »

I drove both sections of road today.

Both were once 60 mph, but are now 40 mph. Both are county road and it goes without saying that both are totally unlit.

Road One: has indicator signs at the start of the section and over 4 / 5 miles has roundels painted on the road about every 1/3rd of a mile.

Road Two: has indicator signs at the start of the section, and absolutely no other indications over a distance of about 6 miles, until you come to a 20 mph section.

Is the speed limit claimed on road 2 enforceable? Would a speeding ticket on this road be valid? Are the local council taking their time in getting around to it / inept and unaware?

8.3.1. Whilst there is no specific requirement to provide repeater signs, it is for the traffic authority to determine how many are required and where they are placed.

From Chapter 3 of The Traffic Signs Manual

So the speed limit on your road 2 is enforceable.

Car_54

Honey_Badger wrote: »

From Chapter 3 of The Traffic Signs Manual

So the speed limit on your road 2 is enforceable.

It is for a court to decide whether the signage is adequate.

Honey_Badger

Car_54 wrote: »

It is for a court to decide whether the signage is adequate.

That’s the same for any signage, so a completely pointless comment.

Car_54

Honey_Badger wrote: »

That’s the same for any signage, so a completely pointless comment.

My point was that this is not a black and white matter. It is not a blanket “enforceable” or “unenforceable”

Honey_Badger

Car_54 wrote: »

My point was that this is not a black and white matter. It is not a blanket “enforceable” or “unenforceable”

Really, it’s in such a grey area of law, you’d risk your licence on it?