Speeding
Limits and laws for major and minor roads
The speed a vehicle is driven is restricted by:
- the type of road being used, or
- the type of vehicle being driven
If two or more speed limits apply, the lower or lowest limit must be observed.
Speed limits do not apply to a vehicle being used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes if keeping to the limit would hinder its efficiency while responding to an emergency. No other vehicle is exempt.
Speed limits on roads
A single carriageway is where traffic flows in either direction on an undivided road (with often has a centre white line marking). The road may have one or more lanes in either direction. It may be subject to any speed limit up to the national speed limit.
A dual carriageway is a road consisting of two parts, separated by a central reservation, each part of the road being used by traffic travelling in one direction only. It may be subject to any speed limit up to the national speed limit.
Mandatory speed limit signs
Mandatory speed limit signs are circular. The sign for a maximum speed limit shows black numerals on a white background with a red border.
On a Class A or Class B road in Scotland with appropriate street lighting, a 30mph sign is required to indicate the point at which it becomes a restricted road.
Minimum speed limit sign
This sign indicates a minimum speed limit which is mandatory. At the start, the sign has white numerals on a blue background and at the finish there is a similar sign crossed through with a red diagonal line.
National speed limit sign
This sign indicates that the National Speed Limit applies, ie 60mph on a single carriageway, 70mph on a dual carriageway. You would expect to see this sign at the point where a lower limit ends. Remember that a lower limit than the National Speed Limit might still apply to you because of your vehicle or because you are drawing a trailer.
The maximum speed limit on motorways is 70mph unless signs indicate otherwise. On some motorways, variable speed limits operate. The signs indicating these are mandatory speed limit signs but produced by lamps. When not in use they show a blank grey or black face.
Penalties
Speeding – motorways
Maximum fine of £2,500 and 3-6 penalty points
Speeding offence dealt with by 'fixed penalty notice' or 'conditional offer notice'
Maximum fine of £60 and 3 penalty points
Mandatory signs
Mandatory signs must, with certain exceptions, be placed on both sides of the carriageway at the point where a speed limit begins.