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 Post subject: UK road speed limits
PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 01:11 
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I would like to know when (in what year) the UK introduced speed limits on its roads.
(As far as I know the UK introduced a speed limit on its highways in 1965. Is that correct?)
What was that speed limit? Is it unchanged today? Was there any change on speed limits in the years 1972 or 1973 on any roads?


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PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 10:31 
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The motorway limit was introduced in 1965 but the 30 limit was earlier.

History of the 70 limit can be found here on the ABD site.

It was lowered (to 50?) during the fuel crisis in the 70's (with little actual fuel saving) and raised again in increments with the single carriageway limit sticking at 60 (was previously 70).


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PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 10:50 
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Homer wrote:
The motorway limit was introduced in 1965 but the 30 limit was earlier.

The urban 30 limit was introduced in 1935. Before that there had been no speed limits at all for cars since 1930, when the general 20 mph speed limit was abolished.

40 mph limits for high-quality suburban roads were introduced (or recommended by the then government) in the late 1950s.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed


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PostPosted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 20:39 
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Homer wrote:
The motorway limit was introduced in 1965 but the 30 limit was earlier.

History of the 70 limit can be found here on the ABD site.

It was lowered (to 50?) during the fuel crisis in the 70's (with little actual fuel saving) and raised again in increments with the single carriageway limit sticking at 60 (was previously 70).


OK, the UK introduced a 70mph limit on its motorways in 1965 (end of the year), that is clear.
But then I am getting a bit confused. Is it 60 today? And since when? The year is important to me.


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PostPosted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 20:46 
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PeterC wrote:
Homer wrote:
History of the 70 limit can be found here on the ABD site.

It was lowered (to 50?) during the fuel crisis in the 70's (with little actual fuel saving) and raised again in increments with the single carriageway limit sticking at 60 (was previously 70).

OK, the UK introduced a 70mph limit on its motorways in 1965 (end of the year), that is clear.
But then I am getting a bit confused. Is it 60 today? And since when? The year is important to me.

No, it is still 70. It was lowered to 50 on a temporary basis in 1973-74 during the oil crisis.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed


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