Speed limits

The current national speed limits have developed over many years. On some roads, different speed limits apply to different classes of vehicle for safety reasons. We are able to change speed limits if we feel that they are inappropriate for some of the roads which they cover.

There is a direct link between vehicle speeds and casualties. On roads with lower vehicle speeds the number of collisions will be less and the severity of the collision will be reduced. Broadly, a 1mph reduction in speed will result in a 5% reduction in collision frequency.

The majority of road traffic collisions occur in built-up areas. In free flowing traffic the road safety research points to the need to reduce vehicle speeds on main roads. These account for half of the casualties due to the mixed use between vehicles and pedestrians. It is also here that we find the greatest air quality and noise problems.

30mph Limit

The 30mph speed limit has been with us since the 1930's and we are now introducing a number of 20mph speed limits in residential and built-up areas, especially where children and older people are more likely to be at risk. In certain areas the introduction of a 20mph speed limit can also support policies for urban regeneration.

The national speed limit of 30mph is applied by law to any road with a system of street lighting in which street lights are no further than 200 yards (183 metres) apart. Signs are required to show the start and finish of the limit, but repeater signs are not permitted on these roads. At first sight this may appear a rather odd way of indicating a speed limit, but in practice it has the merit of simplicity. If there are street lights and no speed limit signs to the contrary, then the speed limit is 30mph.

Do it online

Request a change in a speed limit or report a problem with speed limit signage.