Setting speed limits and speeding
Speed limits
Setting speed limits
For speed limits to be effective they must be set at a level that appears reasonable to a driver and adequately reflect the environment through which the road passes.
Many people consider speed limits as the answer to all road safety concerns and whilst appropriately set speed limits can improve road safety, erecting speed limit signs does not always produce the desired level of vehicle speeds unless a driver can see a need for the limit.
Our policy on setting Local Speed Limits (PS05/02) is based on the national guidance provided by the Department for Transport. A link to the national guidance is provided below.
We consider many factors when determining the appropriate speed limit. The predominant factors that are considered are:
- Road environment and characteristics of the road
- Average speed of the traffic
- Number of vulnerable road users
The speed limit assessment is carried out over a minimum distance of 600-metres.
While outside of the main policy criteria, the number of personal injury crashes, types of speed reducing measures required, buildings like schools and hospitals, and community concern are also considered.
Changes to speed limits
Average traffic speeds are used to determine the most appropriate speed limit for a road, as the mean speed reflects the speed that most drivers consider to be the safe speed for the road environment.
Introducing speed limits that are too far below the existing mean speed of drivers is not effective. If a limit is set too low for the road environment drivers will continue to travel at higher speeds.
An experienced officer carries out site visits to assess requests against the national guidance and our speed limit policy.
The Police are responsible for enforcing speed limits and we always consult with them to ensure we have their support before taking a new speed limit forward. We must ensure that, as far as possible, speed limits are self-enforcing and will not be solely reliant on continuous enforcement to be effective.
National speed limits
There are three national speed limits
- 30mph on roads with street lighting (sometimes known as restricted roads)
- 60mph national speed limit on single carriageway roads
- 70mph national speed limit on dual carriageways and motorways
These speed limits are not appropriate for all roads. Where the road environment suggests another speed limit is appropriate, the County Council can progress a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to introduce a different speed limit. The permitted speed limits are 20mph, 30mph, 40mph, 50mph or 60mph speed limit.
It takes several months to complete a TRO as we have to carryout consultations and follow a statutory procedure before the traffic signs can be introduced.
Requests for a lower speed limit should be submitted to the Road Safety Team providing as much detail as possible, including the current speed limit, what you believe the speed limit should be, and why you feel the change is needed.
Speed limit examples
20mph speed limits
20mph speed limits can be considered in town centres, residential areas, and near schools with existing average traffic speeds below 24mph.
Effective 20mph speed limits or zones should generally be self-enforcing. A 20mph speed limit can be introduced with traffic signs and road markings alone. A zone needs signs at the start and end, and traffic calming measures no further than 100-metres apart.
If the average speed of traffic is 25mph or above, additional speed reducing measures are required to help with compliance.
30mph speed limits
30mph speed limits can be considered in built-up areas and villages with “20 or more properties served by private accesses adjoining the main road (on one or both sides of the road) located over a length of not less than 600-metres and clearly visible to drivers” with existing average traffic speeds below 33mph.
A 30mph speed limit applies on a road with a system of street lighting unless there are signs in place to indicate that another speed limit applies.
The Department for Transport does not allow us to provide repeater signs or roundels on the carriageway on roads with street lighting where a 30mph speed limit applies.
40mph speed limits
40mph speed limits can be considered in less built-up areas, with setback properties with private accesses adjoining the main road with existing average traffic speeds below 42mph.
40mph speed limits can be considered on higher quality urban roads.
They can also be considered in less densely developed areas, or in villages where a 30mph speed limit would not be effective.
50mph speed limits
50mph speed limits can be considered on lower standard classified roads with several junctions or bends with existing average traffic speeds below 52mph.
On A or B-class roads with limited development.
60mph speed limits
60mph speed limits can be considered on higher standard rural roads with average traffic speeds below 62mph.
They can also be considered on lower standard dual carriageways, or dual carriageways with some visible development.
Speeding and antisocial driving
Speeding
We sometimes receive requests for lower speed limits in locations where compliance with the existing speed limit is poor. The Police are responsible for enforcing the speed limit, so if you would like more enforcement of the existing speed limit you should contact Sussex Police.
Community speed watch
Residents can become involved in the Police’s Community Speedwatch (CSW) programme, which may help to reduce antisocial driving. Further details are available on the Sussex Police website or you can contact the district CSW administrator at CSW@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Operation Crackdown
Operation Crackdown allows you to report careless, dangerous or aggressive driving. You can also report vehicles driving in contravention of a prohibition, such as a weight or width restriction, or against a one-way system.
It only takes a few minutes, all reports are logged and actions may include police investigation or warning letters to drivers. When you use Operation Crackdown to report dangerous or anti-social driving, the system:
- Automatically checks whether the vehicle has been reported previously
- Links to the DVLA database and obtains the registered keeper’s details
Speed cameras
Speed camera management and locations are decided by Sussex Police. More information can be found on the Road Safety Data Portal | Sussex Police
Temporary road safety posters
Temporary posters, reminding drivers to keep to the speed limit can be arranged by your Town or Parish Council.
