Speed limits
Speed limits are introduced to promote greater road safety since speed is a significant factor in about one third of road accidents in the United Kingdom. Speeding vehicles also adversely affect the quality of life of many communities causing noise, pollution and community severance. Comprehensive information on the speed limits you would expect to come across on the different category of roads is given in chart form in The Highway Code.
Measures for influencing the speed of vehicles generally fall into two categories, legislative and physical. Speed limits fall into the first category whereas traffic calming devices would fall into the second.
How do we set about amending or introducing a speed limit?
Proposals for amendments to existing speed limits or the introduction of new ones should be raised initially through the relevant District or Borough Traffic Team via Links to the Traffic Management Services (or the County Council’s Traffic Management Group in the case of East Hampshire) via the Contact us Your request will then be assessed. The Police view on a change to a speed limit is important and will be sought. Account should also be taken of the characteristics of the road, such as its alignment, the level of activity alongside the road, the accident record and the degree of severance caused to a community by the speed of vehicles.
Generally, speed limits should fit into a rational and easily understood hierarchy if they are to be observed by drivers. Before deciding to change an existing speed limit the Highway Authority must consider all the relevant factors such as:
expected accident savings
improvement to the environment
improvement in amenities
reduction in public anxiety
improved facilities for vulnerable road users
existing speed of traffic in free flow conditions
delays to traffic
costs of implementation
costs of engineering measures and their maintenance
costs of enforcement, especially where the speed limit might be regarded as unreasonable by drivers
If it is considered that a change in the speed limit is warranted then a new Speed Limit Order Traffic Regulation Order has to be made (see Traffic Orders)
If the road in question has a system of street lighting on it with no speed limit repeater signs the road is already subject to 30mph and as such the Highway Authority is not permitted to place 30mph repeater signs on it. The system of street lighting in a built up area is deemed to be sufficient visual warning of a 30mph limit.