Speed limits, 1
Page 71
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ROFESSIONAL drivers :overing substantial mileages ire almost certain at some time o exceed a speed limit. As /elides become quieter and iandling qualities are improved, t becomes difficult to keep a ;peed limit when travelling on pod roads.
It has been argued that there hould be no speed limits, )ecause what is a safe speed at ine time of day is very langerous at another. For .xample, 30mph when passing school from which children are merging is probably too fast, et at midnight 60mph at the ame spot could be perfectly afe.
On the other hand, it has een said that strict nforcement of the existing peed limits would drastically 3duce road accidents and make lose that do happen less avere.
Speed limits are governed by le Road Traffic Regulation Act 967 and by Regulations made nder the Act. The maxium )eed at which a vehicle can gally travel depends upon: (a) the road concerned — all ods are subject to some speed !striction affecting all vehicles sing them; (b) the type of vehicle — fferent speed limits are laid 3wn for different types of
estricted roads
Section 71 of the Act makes an offence to drive on a stricted road at a speed over )mph. A restricted road means ie where there is a system of reet lighting with lamps no ore than 200 yards apart. A ad can be designated as a 3tricted road even though it ies not comply with the hting requirement, but then a limit must be indicated by e appropriate signs. The 1mph limit can be varied, for ample, on wide straight roads on the outskirts of towns where 40mph limits are often seen.
MOtOrifitayS The Motorways Traffic (Speed Limit) Regulations 1974 impose a maximum speed limit of 70mph on motorways except for certain lengths of road specified in schedules to the Regulations where lower limits are laid down. In addition the Motor Vehicles (Speed Limit on Motorways) Regulations 1973 apply speed limits to specific vehicles as follows: (a) Goods vehicles over three ton unladen weight, articulated vehicles and drawbar trailer combinations (60mph); (b) Motor vehicles drawing a trailer (not articulated vehicles) where the trailer has less than four wheels or is a close-coupled (ie, wheels whose centres are not more than 33in apart) four wheeled trailer except when falling in category (c) below (50mph); (c) Motor vehicles not exceeding 30cwt unladen (when drawing a trailer not complying with the special provisions discussed later (40mph).
Ordinary roads
The maximum speed limit on dual carriageways is 70mph and on single carriageway roads 60mph unless the class of vehicle is already restricted to a lower speed. This particular regulation is resented by some lorry drivers whose vehicles are limited on ordinary roads to 40mph. They complain that this limit on dual carriageways which are almost up to motorway standards is unduly restrictive.
Vehicle classes
Section 78 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 makes it an offence to drive a motor vehicle of any class on a road at a greater speed than the speed specified in Schedule 5 to the Act. The limits for various vehicles are as follows: Passenger vehicles (1) Public service vehicles with an unladen weight exceeding 3 tons or adapted to carry more than 7 passengers (50mph).
(2) Vehicles as at (1) but not licensed as PSVs (40mph).
(3) Vehicles not licensed as PSVs with unladen weight not exceeding 30cwt adapted to carry more than seven passengers (50mph).
(4) Vehicles drawing one trailer: (a) licensed psv as in (1) (40mph); (b) vehicles not mere than seven passengers (40mph-50mph if "relevant condition", explained below, is compiled with); (c) for more than seven passengers and unladen weight not exceeding 30cwt (40mph-50mph if "relevant condition," complied with).
(5) Vehicle drawing more than one trailer (20mph).
(6) Any vehicle not fitted with pneumatic tyres or drawing a trailer not so fitted (20mph).
(7) invalid carriage (20mph).
Goods vehicles The general speed limit is 40mph, except for: (1) Vehicles not exceeding 30cwt unladen weight (50mph).
(2) Vehicles drawing a trailer, not being articulated vehicles: (a) Vehicle under 30cwt unladen weight drawing trailer and satisfying "relevant conditions" (50mph); (b) Heavy motor car or motorcycle drawing trailer (lorries with drawbar trailers come within this class)(30mph); (c) Motor car with unladen weight exceeding 30cwt towing a load-carrying trailer the unladen weight of which exceeds 5cwt, or is neither a living van nor a load carrying trailer has an unladen weight exceeding 15cwt (30mph). (3) Vehicles arawing more than one trailer (20mph).
(4) Vehicles not fitted with pneumatic tyres, if drawing trailers or having an unladen weight exceeding 1 ton, and vehicles drawing trailers not fitted with pneumatic tyres (20mph).
(5) Vehicles not fitted with resilient tyres and 'vehicles drawing trailers not so fitted (5mph).
The conditions referred to in Passenger Vehicles (4) (b) and (c) and Goods Vehicles (2) (a) above are as follows:
(a) The appropriate weights to be legibly marked in a conspicuous and readily accessible position as follows — on the drawing vehicle its kerbside weight either inside the vehicle or outside on its near side, and on the trailer being a living van, or being neither a living van .nor.a load carrying trailer, its maximum gross weight on the outside of the nearside. The weights can be shown in kilograms or imperial units but must be the same medium for both the drawing 'vehicle and the trailer.
(b) A 50mph plate, kept clean and unobscured must be exhibited at the rear of the trailer in a conspicuous position. The plate must be circular or elliptical with silver or white numbers on a black background.
(e) The relevant weight of the trailer must not exceed the kerbside weight of the towing vehicle if the trailer is fitted with brakes. Where the trailer is not fitted with brakes the trailer's weight must not exceed 60 per cent of the towing vehicle.
More about speed limits in the next article, particularly those for locomotives and tractors and the meaning of such terms as "kerbside weight'' in the previous paragraph.
by Les Oldridge, TEng (CEI), MIMI