Speed: Know your limits This publication (excluding the Royal Arms and logos) may be Great Minster House reproduced free of charge in any 76 Marsham Street format or medium provided that it London SW1P 4DR is reproduced accurately and not Tel 020 7944 8300 used in a misleading context. Internet service: www.dft.gov.uk The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright with the title and © Crown Copyright 2004. source of the publication specified.

Copyright in the typographical This document is available on arrangement and design vests the DfT website: www.dft.gov.uk in the Crown. Published by the Department for Transport. Speed: Know your limits 02 Speed: Know your limits Department for Transport

Britain has one of the best This is an impressive record, but we safety records in the world, which is want to improve on it, and there is something to be proud of.The table still work to be done to further reduce below gives a few examples of how the number of unnecessary injuries many people are being killed every and fatalities on our .That is why year on roads where many of us take it is necessary to continue to work on our holidays (2003 data): persuading and educating motorists to be more aware of their driving Country Road deaths per habits and their speed in particular. 100,000 population Whether we are motorists, cyclists, 6 pedestrians or horse riders, all of us Greece 19.3* benefit from safer driving. Italy 11.7 Portugal 16.1 Spain 13.2 Germany 8.3 France 12.9 *2000 data Department for Transport Speed: Know your limits 03

So why worry about speed?

The Department for Transport If you add to this the fact that if a annually monitors speeds at pedestrian is hit at: around 180 sites throughout Great • 20mph there is about a 1 in 40 Britain.The total number of vehicle (2.5 %) chance of being killed records processed to produce the or 97% chance of survival 2003 statistics was about 677 million. • 30mph there is about a 1 in 5 (20%) chance of being killed or These measurements showed that 80% chance of survival in 2003: • at 35mph there is a 50/50 chance • 58% of cars, 54% of motorcycles of being killed and 53% of HGVs exceeded the 30 mph limit • at 40mph there is about a 9 in 10 (90%) chance of being killed or • 27% of cars and 36% of motorcycles 10% chance of survival, exceeded the 40 mph limit (Source Ashton and Mackay 1979) • 57% of cars and 59% of motorcycles exceeded the 70 mph And that if it is estimated that for each on motorways 1mph reduction in average speed, It is clear therefore that many of us accident frequency is reduced by 5%; speed at least some of the time. Then it is clear there is a need to worry about speed because the consequences of driving too fast are so severe. 04 Speed: Know your limits Department for Transport

Is speed as dangerous as bad driving?

Driving too fast is bad driving. In It is therefore clear that where 2003 there were still over 3,000 there are serious or fatal injuries people being killed (that’s nearly 10 resulting from collisions, excessive people every day) and 33,000 being speed is more likely to be a seriously injured in collisions on contributory factor. Britain’s roads. There are those who claim that speed Unfortunately speed contributes to is not a significant factor in causing those collisions, deaths and injuries. road accidents, but that view is There exists no precise figure for the difficult to sustain from either research contribution speed makes to causing or experience.All reliable research into the collisions, but analysis of casualty accident causation shows that the statistics in has shown factors determining both excessive excessive speed to be a contributory and inappropriate speed amount to factor in 12% of all injury collisions, about 30% of contributory factors in 18% where there is a serious injury road accidents. and 28% of all collisions which result in a fatality. To an extent it suits us all to assume that the effects of speed are exaggerated. Individuals will need to take one conscious decision at any given time to, say, buckle up a seat belt or not drink before driving. Department for Transport Speed: Know your limits 05

What speed it is safe to drive at is a continuous decision making process and to that extent is a more difficult judgement to make.

Drivers rightly consider poor lane discipline, failure to signal, driving too close and other errors to be poor driving.

There is some reluctance to accept that driving too fast is also poor driving, but it is and there is a need to alter that thinking. 06 Speed: Know your limits Department for Transport

What is speeding?

Excessive Speed Inappropriate Speed This is straightforward; it is exceeding This is someone driving within the posted speed limit.To do so is a the speed limit but too fast for criminal offence and, if detected, is the road and traffic conditions. likely to result in a fine and penalty It is about judgement, and is points on your licence. In the majority extremely important. of cases this will be a fixed penalty resulting in a standard fine and licence Urban roads will be subject most endorsement, but in more serious cases often to a 30mph speed limit.These may result in being taken to court. will be high streets with shoppers looking to cross the road at various It is intuitive to believe that, the points, parked vehicles around which faster you go, the greater is the risk pedestrians might suddenly appear, of being involved in a collision; and delivery vans, cyclists and buses this is borne out by the facts. where people might risk crossing the Research (TRL 1998 and 1999) has road where perhaps they should not. shown that if an individual drives at They might also be in the vicinity of more than 10-15% above the schools, hospitals and where the average speed of the traffic around elderly may be present.These roads them, they are much more likely to require drivers to take account of all be involved in a collision. these various factors and drive at appropriate speeds. Department for Transport Speed: Know your limits 07

Driving at inappropriate speed is Inappropriate speed is also a factor also a real problem on rural roads. where poor weather conditions Despite only around 10% of drivers prevail and when driving at night. exceeding the speed limit on rural roads, over 60% of all car occupant It is a commonly held belief that, since deaths (drivers and passengers) occur roads have far less traffic at night, it is on them.This is because, although safe to drive at higher speeds. the national speed limit applies on the vast majority of rural roads, it is However, it is a fact that the average actually difficult to drive at anywhere risk of an accident per kilometre close to the speed limit, but it is still travelled between 7.00pm and very possible to drive too fast for 7.00am is double that for that the conditions. between 7.00am and 7.00pm.

These include approaching a bend or junction too fast, not negotiating narrow roads properly and where it is inappropriate to do so. 08 Speed: Know your limits Department for Transport

What are speed limits? Vehicle Speed Limits

A brief history of speed limits In 1934 a general 30mph speed Different vehicles have different Between 1865 and 1896 limit was imposed on roads in built maximum speed limits on certain locomotives on the had up areas (effectively roads with types of road. It is for the driver to to be preceded by a pedestrian street lighting) which remains to ensure that they know the speed carrying a red flag and were this day. limit for their vehicle at all times. subject to a speed limit of 2mph The speed limit table featured in cities, towns and villages and Other roads had no speed limits at overleaf explains the different 4mph elsewhere. all. It was not until 1965 that a speed limits that apply to different national upper limit of 70mph was vehicles.This can also be found in The maximum speed limit was then introduced for all roads, including . increased to 14mph and again, in motorways. 1903, to 20mph. Since 1977 the speed limit for cars In 1930 speed limits for cars and and motorcycles on dual motorcycles were abolished. carriageways has been 70mph, with a 60mph speed limit on single carriageways.

In 1999 local authorities were given the powers to introduce a 20mph speed limit without requiring the consent of the Secretary of State. Department for Transport Speed: Know your limits 09

Know your Speed Limits

Built up area Single Dual Motorways (street lit) Carriageways Carriageways type of vehicle mph mph mph mph cars & motorcycles (including car derived vans up to 30 60 70 70 2 tonnes maximum laden weight) cars towing caravans or trailers (including car derived vans 30 50 60 60 and motorcycles) buses and coaches (not exceeding 12 metres 30 50 60 70 in overall length) goods vehicles 30 50 60 70* (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes *60 if articulated maximum laden weight) or towing a trailer goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes 30 40 50 60 maximum laden weight) 10 Speed: Know your limits Department for Transport

Who has responsibility for Speed Limits at Roadworks speed limits?

A central body called the Highways Speed limits are often lowered at Agency sets speed limits on the roadworks.There are valid reasons motorway and trunk road network. for doing this.The safety of those The Government provides advice to dedicated to repairing our road traffic authorities (County, District network is paramount and therefore and Borough Councils, but not Parish vehicle speeds will need to be Councils) on the setting of local lowered where workmen are likely speed limits. It is for those authorities to be present. In addition, the to decide what is the most carriageway will be narrowed to allow appropriate speed limit for their roads work to progress. Such narrowing will based upon local considerations and inevitably mean it is appropriate to circumstances.This would usually reduce vehicle speeds. Lower speed reflect factors such as accident history, limits will help to achieve this. traffic flows, road traffic mix, levels of adjacent development and road geometry.They can set speed limits from 20mph to 70mph inclusive. Department for Transport Speed: Know your limits 11

Dual Carriageways Different Speed Limits and how to recognise them

There is sometimes some confusion 20mph Speed Limit 30mph Speed Limit as to what a dual carriageway is, The 20mph speed limit is The 30mph speed limit is especially for those vehicles restricted predominately used in urban areas. predominately used in urban areas to speed limits below that for cars, Commonly you will see them in town (and more recently in many villages) such as HGVs and Coaches. In short, a centres, high streets, residential roads and usually is indicated by the dual carriageway is a road that is and in the vicinity of schools.The aim presence of a system of streetlights. separated by a central reservation.A of this limit is to reduce vehicle The presence of street lights is the central reservation is anything other speeds that allows for the presence of way we recognise this speed limit and than a pedestrian refuge that vulnerable road users; cyclists, it is the reason why you do not see, separates vehicles going in one children and the elderly. More often apart from where the limit starts, direction from vehicles going in the than not a 20mph speed limit will 30mph speed limit signs. Some other direction. It should be noted come in the form of a ‘zone’.A zone believe this to be an odd way of that although it is more usual to have will contain traffic calming features, indicating a speed limit, but really it is two or more lanes in each direction, usually road humps that force drivers simple. If there are streetlights and no the number of lanes is not specified, to reduce their speed to around signs to the contrary a 30mph speed i.e. it is the presence of a central 20mph. Research on the effectiveness limit is in force. reservation rather than the number of of these zones has shown that lanes that determines whether or not casualties can fall by up to 70% There are a number of unlit roads a road is a dual carriageway. where they have been introduced. where a 30 mph speed limit applies. In these circumstances the traffic authority must place 30 mph repeater signs. 12 Speed: Know your limits Department for Transport

40mph and 50mph The National Speed Limit These two speed limits were The national speed limit is indicated introduced in the 1970s and are by a round sign showing a white predominately used in non-built up background with a diagonal black areas or in built up areas where a stripe across it. For the majority of higher speed is both safe and vehicles it means 60mph on single appropriate. In addition to signing the carriageway roads and 70mph on dual beginning of the speed limit, traffic carriageway roads (as detailed above, authorities must also place speed some vehicles are restricted to lower limit repeater signs at regular speed limits).This speed limit works on intervals along the length of road the same principle as the 30mph speed being enforced.The driver should limit in that it is not signed apart from therefore be in no doubt of what the where the speed limit starts. It is speed limit is for the road being predominately used along the rural driven on. road network.Again, recognising it is simple.Where there are no streetlights and no signs to the contrary, the national speed limit is in force.The speed limit on a motorway is 70mph unless otherwise indicated. Department for Transport Speed: Know your limits 13

But do speed limits Compliance with make sense? Speed Limits

Most people believe in the need In an ideal world all drivers would They are most effective on urban for there to be speed limits; but who obey all speed limits at all times. roads, around schools and in residential decides? The system may not be Unfortunately we do not live in an areas.They are not usually appropriate perfect but it is not arbitrary. ideal world and for any number of for rural areas. Other measures Detailed guidance on setting speed reasons drivers do from time to time include build outs or chicanes that limits is provided to all traffic fail to stick to the posted limit. narrow the road thereby encouraging authorities.Their Highway Engineers lower speeds, or road markings that and Road Safety Officers using their Over the years a number of measures have the visual effect of narrowing knowledge and experience will apply have been developed to help drivers the carriageway. the guidance.They will also consult stay within the speed limit in force. the police who have the task of These measures have the effect of Where there is a need to warn drivers enforcing speed limits.This ensures changing the nature or appearance of to reduce speed when approaching a the limits are set appropriately. the road to encourage drivers that a hazard, vehicle activated signs have slower speed is appropriate. Local proved to be very effective.These are authorities have all the necessary signs that remain blank until a vehicle powers to introduce any measure approaching at a certain speed triggers they deem appropriate, but obviously a message to be displayed which one would depend on the electronically.These signs can be very nature of the problem. effective on rural roads where the national speed limit applies but drivers Road humps are the most commonly need to slow down considerably to used and most effective measure, take account of a crossroad, a sharp reducing speeds by up to 10mph. bend or other hazard. 14 Speed: Know your limits Department for Transport

Enforcement

Ideally, all drivers obey the speed limit The police are responsible for c) portable speed detection devices in force.And where compliance is an enforcing the speed limit and may which are trained across a road issue, some form of intervention use any approved by a supervising officer to measure, such as traffic calming or equipment.Apart from traditional measure the speed of any road realignment would be introduced fixed speed camera housings, the vehicle going through the that persuades drivers to adhere to the three most common ways to enforce ‘line of sight’ of the device. posted limit. speed limits are: A second ‘stopping’ officer can pull over a speeding vehicle if a) in-car speed measuring systems However, there are roads where so requested by the officer operated by a police officer, there is a history of accidents but monitoring the device. which measure the average where conventional traffic calming These devices may also have speed of a suspected speeding or other forms of persuasion are photographic recording ability, vehicle over a given distance. unsuitable or have proved allowing the police to send ineffective. On these roads there notifications and requirements b) handheld speed measuring to the registered vehicle keeper. may be no alternative but to provide equipment where a police officer an increased level of enforcement. measures the speed of passing vehicles with a ‘radar gun’.That The most common form of officer will work in tandem with a enforcement is safety cameras. colleague, positioned further along The purpose of cameras is to deter the road concerned, who will be speeding at sites where speed responsible for stopping any related accidents have occurred, offending vehicle and informing not to catch drivers speeding. the driver of his speed; and Department for Transport Speed: Know your limits 15

Changing Attitudes

There are various reasons why Successive governments have set people speed. targets to reduce road accident casualties and it is clear that, Some are simply excited by driving increasingly, these cannot be fast.They can be easily affected by achieved without reducing the motoring magazines and programmes number of people killed or injured as that highlight the top performance a result of speed. Long term publicity levels of some vehicles. campaigns are aimed at making drivers and riders aware of the Motorists in general simply regard dangers of excessive and inappropriate the breaking of speed limits – at least speed and the substantial safety in a minor way – as not a very serious benefits that can be gained by even matter.Those caught speeding are small reductions in speed. considered to be ‘unlucky’. But the consequences of driving too fast can be very serious. Being involved in a collision can result in death or serious injury. 16 Speed: Know your limits Department for Transport

In brief: facts and figures

Because the dangers 20mph Limits -75mm high flat-top They are also sometimes -870 fewer KSIs per For further information are so severe, a number -Speed limit signing road humps and 80mm used to remind the year, including over on Speed and other road of measures have been without supporting high round-top humps driver of the speed 100 fewer deaths safety issues you can visit the developed to persuade traffic calming achieved a 10mph limit in force.Their -a 33% fall in injury THINK! campaign website at: drivers to slow down. measures reduction of speed reduction and a effectiveness can be accidents – 4,030 www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk These measures are an average of 1mph. likely accident broken down as follows: fewer per year or for information covering the not always popular reduction of 50%. -35% reduction in Department of Transport as a (Source TRL Report 363 - -Mean speed reductions but nevertheless (Department at speed limit roundel pedestrians killed or whole visit www.dft.gov.uk “Urban Speed Management recommends 75mm seriously injured they do work. Methods”) signs of between road humps as 3-9mph Effect on speed 20mph Zones Road Humps achieving best speed -Mean speed reductions -average speeds at all and Limits -Road humps in their reduction with least of up to 7mph at new sites fall by 20mph Zones various forms achieved negative impacts). junction and bend around 7% or 2.4mph; -Average speeds within the biggest mean (Source TRL Report 482 signs -average speed at urban zones reduce by 9mph speed reduction (based “The Impacts of traffic -Mean speed reductions sites fall by around 8% and accident frequency on a mean speed calming measures on of up to 4mph on safety -the number of vehicles reduces by 60% before traffic calming vehicle exhaust emissions”) camera repeater signs speeding at new camera -Overall reduction in of 30mph) -Overall one-third sites drop by 71% child accidents -100mm high raised Vehicle reduction in accidents = up to 67% junctions (Commonly Activated Signs at trial sites Other findings -Overall reduction in known as speed tables, Vehicle activated signs (Norfolk sites) -79% of people asked cycle accidents these are large flat are predominately used (Source TRL Report 548 - support the use of = up to 27% topped humps that in rural areas.They are “Vehicle Activated Signs - cameras to reduce -Traffic flow within straddle the entire an electronic sign that a large scale evaluation) casualties zones reduced by up junction.) achieved flashes a message to the -the benefit to society to 27% biggest reduction of driver if a predetermined speed has been triggered. Cameras through casualties (Source TRL Report 215 - up to 12mph and Effects on casualties at saves about £221 “Review of Traffic Calming subsequent likely Research has shown camera sites: million per year Schemes in 20mph zones”) accident reduction them to be very of 60%. effective at reducing -A 40% reduction in the (Source:The National speed and collisions at number of people killed Safety Camera Programme hazards such as sharp or seriously injured (KSI) Three-year evaluation bends and junctions Report - June 2004) with poor visibility.

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