Safe Speed Forums

There was a time when the type of road being driven along was a big clue as to the prevailing speed limit. Since the advent of speed cameras, however, the posted speed limit lasts for only several hundred yards and is then reduced, then increased but perhaps to 60 MPH rather than 70 MPH, then reduced down to 50 MPH and possibly raised back to 70 MPH just before reducing to 30 MPH on the approach to an A-road roundabout.

My point being that we should be assisted to intuitively know the speed limit, so we are better able to concentrate on enjoying the journey and driving safely.

at every reduction in the speed limit, you must pass through the required signs identifying this reduction, in many areas these days you will find count down markers or buffer zones, then once within the reduced limit regular repeaters, unless you are in a 30mph where you might not see a repeater for miles, these days i look out for the camera warning signs as an indicator they could be lurking

Unfortunately signage is very hit and miss.

Sometimes you get countdown signs on the approach, mostly not, but often the limit signs are damaged, missing or overgrown.

I find a freshly spruced up set of speed limit signs is a sure indication that enforcement is in operation.

i never thought of it that way, i will have to keep an eye out in future for polished signs

I agree. My dad has been driving since 1963, and he says that back in the old days you knew more often what the speed limit of a road was, such as a semi-rural dual-carriageway being 70mph. Nowadays you don't have a clue, because a high-quality dual carriageway can range anywhere between 40mph and 70mph with little reason. You get high quality roads nowadays with lower limits than poor quality roads, and I'm talking about roads that have had their limits reduced too. You don't know what to expect, so more of your concentration is used whilst driving working out what the hell the speed limit is.

It's a mess.