What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Do I follow roadworks speed limits or smart motorway speed limits when both appear?
Smart motorways are very ambiguous and I genuinely don't know what speed to drive. I drive regularly on the M3 and between junction 4a and 2 is 'smart'. Currently there are roadworks with 50mph speed limit board between junctions 3 and 2. Obviously, I reduce to below 50mph. Then I see an overhead electronic sign with 40, so I slow to 40mph. Next, I pass another speed limit board saying 50. Can I increase to 50mph if the road is clear? Then the overhead electronic sign says national speed limit applies, so can I increase to 70mph? Hard to follow, right? I could presume the lowest limit applies, but whilst in the roadworks, why have a national speed limit sign on the electronic signs when the 50mph limit still applies? I'd be grateful for clarification (with references to the appropriate statutes). Thank you.
Asked on 29 October 2020 by ds797
Answered by
Georgia Petrie
Smart motorways are notoriously confusing and unsafe in places. In fact, a study that came out this week revealed that less than half of the drivers surveyed knew how to use smart motorways: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/driving-1/2020-10/half-o.../
[On a smart motorway] "a speed limit displayed inside a red circle is legally enforceable. If you go over the speed limit, you’re breaking the law and could receive a fine. We’ll let you know when it no longer applies by setting the national speed limit sign. If no speed limits are displayed then the national speed limit applies. When speed limits are displayed, they remain in place until notified that they have ended, or a different speed limit is displayed." Source: www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-drive-on-a-smart-motorw...y
Here is the legislation for variable speed limits specifically for the M3 Motorway (Junctions 2 to 4a): www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/241/regulation/3/...e
It says: "A section of a road is subject to a variable speed limit in relation to a vehicle being driven along it if: the vehicle has not subsequently passed—
(i)another speed limit sign indicating a different speed limit; or
(ii)a traffic sign which indicates that the national speed limit is in force."
It's also worth noting that the speed limit when passing roadworks has increased to 60mph in some areas of England: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/driving-1/2020-07/motorw.../
[On a smart motorway] "a speed limit displayed inside a red circle is legally enforceable. If you go over the speed limit, you’re breaking the law and could receive a fine. We’ll let you know when it no longer applies by setting the national speed limit sign. If no speed limits are displayed then the national speed limit applies. When speed limits are displayed, they remain in place until notified that they have ended, or a different speed limit is displayed." Source: www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-drive-on-a-smart-motorw...y
Here is the legislation for variable speed limits specifically for the M3 Motorway (Junctions 2 to 4a): www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/241/regulation/3/...e
It says: "A section of a road is subject to a variable speed limit in relation to a vehicle being driven along it if: the vehicle has not subsequently passed—
(i)another speed limit sign indicating a different speed limit; or
(ii)a traffic sign which indicates that the national speed limit is in force."
It's also worth noting that the speed limit when passing roadworks has increased to 60mph in some areas of England: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/driving-1/2020-07/motorw.../
Tags:
speed limits
smart motorway
Similar questions
Rather than have dangerous Smart Motorways, why don’t National Highways reduce congestion by simply educating people and enforcing the rule of driving on the left?
It is SO frustrating to see drivers...
A recent UK holiday using so-called "smart" roads made me question why we are allowing motorists to risk their lives using them. I understand an extra lane will allow more cars to flow through but at what...
I was travelling down the M1 on at 70MPH and, as I reached a gantry, the speed limit signs flashed up 50MPH. I started to brake, but on the other side of the gantry was a speed camera, which promptly flashed...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
