national speed limits in the 1950's

[austin-alleg]

i was told by sombody that before the mid-sixties, the national speed limit (in britian ) was 80mph and then was lowered to 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 60mph on all other roads ( unless restricted speed limits are implied).

[Stephen_G]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_by_c ountry#United_Kingdom

I hate to go all Top Gear, but.....

Some say the 70mph limit was created after Jack Sears was estimated to be travelling at 185mph in an AC Cobra (tested after being fitted with an american V8 engine). Others say it was in response to multiple pile-ups in foggy conditions.

Wikipedia says that a lot of roads didn't have any limit at all.

Hope this helps.

[Toureman]

"Somebody" does not know what they are talking about there was no speed limit once out of urban areas.

There has never been an 80 Limit.

The 70 mph national limit appeared in 1965, before that you could drive at any speed.

[Buenchico]

The reason that the present national speed limit sign is a blank circle with a line through it is that, as Toureman indicates, it originally signified 'No speed limit'.

I'm old enough to remember the introduction of national speed limits. The reason stated, at that time, was that it was a temporary fuel-saving measure in response to a petrol shortage created by Opec.

Chris

[buildersmate]

Oil shortage?
Well, well. What goes around comes around again.

[SeaJayPea]

I may be wrong here, I often am, but I think that, for once, Buienchico may be confusing two issues. I'm pretty certain that the 70mph limit was introduced by Barbara Castke when she was Minister of Transport around the same time as the breathalyser. Both were responses to the carnage on our roads at the time.
If memory serves me correctly, the additional national speed limit of 50 mph came in in 1973 after the Yom Kippur War caused all manner of grief in the Middle East. We also had fuel ration books at the same time, although I suspect they were never actually used.

Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose. That's yer actual French

[Toureman]

The S Jay is correct on the introduction on the 70 being imposed because of the accident rate but it was continued because of the fuel crisis.

[slark]

Just before Christmas 1965 Transport Minister Tom Fraser (not Barbara Castle, as many seem to think) introduced a 70mph limit for drivers on motorways, following several pile-ups in the foggy autumn and winter of that year, though another cause is sometimes cited - the era�s super-cars being seen on motorways in legal-speak: �Travelling at speeds in excess of 150mph�.

i think barbara castle made it law 2 years later (1967) ?

[sandmaster]

The national speed limit was introduced to save fuel during a fuel crisis. At the time petrol coupons were handed out. I still have my book of coupons somewhere, must be of some antique value now!! I think the speed limit on motorways was retained at 70mph and 60 on other roads as it was found it reduced the carnage on the roads. Dual carriageways and other roads had different limits but they were standardised at 60 when reviewed. When I started driving in the 60s built up areas (areas with street lighting) had a 30 limit unless stated otherwise. All other roads had no speed limit unless stated otherwise.

[Malagabob333]

Am I right in saying it was 70mph on motorways and 60mph on dual carriage ways.Has the speed limit on dual carrigeways legally changed.