National Speed Limit

[milly143]

Following from a question below about speed cameras, I wondered how many people do not know what the national speed limit is. There are a few roads around my area whereby the speed limit is 60mph. There are cameras on these roads but a little before you reach the camera, there is a huge sign warning you of a camera followed by the symbol for the national speed limit. You really can't miss the signs, they are almost as visible as the cameras however more often then not, people will slam on their breaks, sometimes down to 30mph. So many people do it that I now keep a clear distance so I don't smack in to them when they slam on the breaks but why do people do this? Surely all drivers know what the national speed limit on A roads is, right?

[clarabel82]

You'd be surprised. I'm still learning to drive so I know all the speed limits but my Dad who has been driving for 25 years didn't know that the National Speed Limit on dual carriageways is 70mph.

[Toureman]

There are a lot of incompetent drivers on the roads, especialy those who don't keep a safe driving distance from the car in front all the time, but only when approaching speed cameras.

[milly143]

I meant EXTRA distance!

[Panic Button]

Doesn't surprise me Clarabel and Milly. I was discussing speeds with some professional drivers recently, articulated lorry drivers. All knew the speeds for their lorries correctly, but all thought that cars were restricted to 60 on dual carriageways.

Perhaps it is time for the authorities to re-educate people in some way. I reckon the majority of drivers do not know the national speed limits.

There is a speed camera on the A1 in north london on a dual section and I consistently see cars braking before it when they are already at 50, 20 mph below the limit.