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Can anyone advise whether the flashing speed signs on motorway central reservations are advisory or mandatory?
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Advisory
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Highway code rule 171.
Where there is danger, amber lights flash. The signal may also show a temporary maximum speed limit, lanes that are closed or a message (for example "Fog"). Reduce your speed and look out for the danger to pass until you pass a signal that is not flashing _and_ you are sure it is safe to increase your speed.
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highway code isn't necessarily law.
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No,
but I wouldn't advise ploughing on past a 30 flashing sign at 70 with a police car on your tail. I'd be interested to see you do it, then argue with plod that it's not mandatory.
Lee.
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Flashing? I thought they were either displayed or not displayed!
Since the answers so far are mutually exclusive somebody must have a definitive answer!
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The lights in the corner of the gantry and central reservation displays flash. The speed limit number remains on. These are mandatory. This is how the M25 variable speed limit works.
Jonathan
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Worng. THe M25 ones have a red border. My vote is advisory.
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Things in the HC that are compulsory by law are in red.
As Andrew says most of it isn't law. When was the last time you saw someone walking at night with a flourescent jacket on.
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Think Dave is right, in order for a speed limit sign to be statutory it has to be in a red circle, like the proper ones,the variable gantry ones on the M25 and at some road works.
Where the red circle is not there as in the yellow ones at other road works, signs on approach to bends and the dot matrix with the flashing ambers on the central reservation these are advisory.
Its then up to the nut behind the wheel to drive appropriately as is the case at all times regardless of whether its statutory or not.
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Are these the ones along the central reservation that always seem to indicate 50, irrespective of the road/weather conditions?
Andy
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Reading through the answers it seems like nobody knows - a reflection of the current muddling confusion of speed/parking restrictions. It makes me mad.............
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Flat in Fifth knows, and has said so very succinctly, not least in his last paragraph.
Ronnie
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On the M25 near Heathrow yesterday, the gantry speed limits were on, but presumably faulty as 3 of 4 lanes were flashing 40mph and one of the middle lanes was indicating 60mph. A chicane was formed as drivers were aiming for the "fastest" lane.
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On a simila note, the highways here have different speeds depending the lane. Not different minimum speeds, which would be very sensible, but different maximum speeds.
Hence, if you move over to get out of someone`s way, you are instantly breaking the speed limit.
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Why argue about it - anyone who takes notice is passed by virtually everyone else!
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Geordie Sloane wrote:
>
> Why argue about it - anyone who takes notice is passed by
> virtually everyone else!
unless you are driving a plain white unmarked motor which just might..........
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Advisory.
But if you are travelling at a speed not deemed appropriate to the relevent conditions as advised you could be guilty of - Inconsiderate/Careless/Dangerous.
Andrew.
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Shaking the dust from my brainbox and without as yet doing any research (still chasing the blinking Disco) firstly speed limits cannot be put on willy nilly they need at least an Order to make them mandatory.
From what you report I would say they can be advisory - as when bringing you down from 69mph approaching an accident on the Motorway to 20 - 30 say.
Those with the red band will be mandatory and at approach to heavily congested junctions/accident prone spots and will be covered by a Speed Order, which incidentally are taken out for 50 mph roadworks etc.
As to the Highway Code not being law, quite correct but infringements heavily relied on as bad practices by the Courts in Dangerous Drivin/Due care cases.
DVD
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"infringements heavily relied on as bad practices by the Courts in Dangerous Drivin/Due care cases."
I've heard this but drunk pedestrians stepping into the road at night withough flourecent jackets, and run over are rarely blamed for their actions.
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They are advisory, they are only mandatory if they are equipped with red lights ie, m25. I know for a fact that when the police test the signals on the motoway systems they frequently forget to switch them off!
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