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Obscure law
I am a long-term expat, and recently drove a hired car in England for the first time for a number of years.
Not only was there no handbook or even minimal instructions in the unfamiliar car, there was no list of standard speed limits. I did not see any indication thereof on leaving Stansted airport, and was left wondering for my entire stay.
An “unrestricted” sign is meaningless - does it mean what it says, or is it related to a limit about which I knew nothing? What about dual carriageways and country roads outside built-up areas? The plethora of constantly changing speed signs in restricted areas is confusing, as you rightly say, but a sign on entering a motorway or dual carriageway (hard to identify the difference) would help foreign visitors, and perhaps serve as a reminder to residents. In France, there are frequent reminders on all roads - why not in UK?
There is certainly no way of guessing by the behaviour of other drivers in England, which seemed totally anarchic.
Not only was there no handbook or even minimal instructions in the unfamiliar car, there was no list of standard speed limits. I did not see any indication thereof on leaving Stansted airport, and was left wondering for my entire stay.
An “unrestricted” sign is meaningless - does it mean what it says, or is it related to a limit about which I knew nothing? What about dual carriageways and country roads outside built-up areas? The plethora of constantly changing speed signs in restricted areas is confusing, as you rightly say, but a sign on entering a motorway or dual carriageway (hard to identify the difference) would help foreign visitors, and perhaps serve as a reminder to residents. In France, there are frequent reminders on all roads - why not in UK?
There is certainly no way of guessing by the behaviour of other drivers in England, which seemed totally anarchic.
Asked on 28 November 2011 by JF, Monaco
Answered by
Honest John
You are right. In Spain drivers are constantly reminded and there are reduced speed limits at road junctions and on motorway curves. In Germany you are less sure what the limit is. It's sometimes unrestricted; sometimes not. Britain adopts some daft laws that "you are supposed to know.” For cars, a motorway or dual carriageway is 70. "De-restricted" single carriageway roads, 60. Areas with street lamps 30, unless otherwise posted. You are also supposed to anticipate a green traffic light turning red which takes 3 seconds on amber. Try braking from 40mph in 3 seconds.
Tags:
speed limits
legal issues
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