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Maybe a legal expert can advise here : where one crosses the line between (say) a 40 and a 30 limit. one is allowed 40 up to that line but is physically unable to slow instantly to 30. Is one therefore theoretically liable to a penalty, or is a reasonable slow-down distance permitted ? Or, conversely, is one expected to enter the new limit at 31-32 ?
Last edited by: VxFan on Thu 18 Dec 25 at 16:09
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>> Maybe a legal expert can advise here : where one crosses the line between (say)
>> a 40 and a 30 limit. one is allowed 40 up to that line but
>> is physically unable to slow instantly to 30. Is one therefore theoretically liable to a
>> penalty, or is a reasonable slow-down distance permitted ? Or, conversely, is one expected to
>> enter the new limit at 31-32 ?
There is no "safety zone" the speed limit applies from the point of the sign. No theory, one can get knicked the moment one passes the speed limit sign over the limit.
On the motorway with variable speed limits and HADECS cameras you will get knicked about 20 yards beyond the sign, but thats a function of the camera tech, not a safety zone.
Its up to you if you wish to push the 10% +2mph oft debated but never confirmed or proven safe "discretion" theory.
Last edited by: Zero on Wed 17 Dec 25 at 15:05
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You are expected to control your speed approaching the 30 limit so as not to be over 30 at that point.
I can usually achieve it in my own cars although nearly all of them have been diesels and shed speed quickly once off throttle.
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"Its up to you if you wish to push the 10% +2mph oft debated but never confirmed or proven safe "discretion" theory."
Whilst any speed above the limit is an offence, all police forces in England & Wales comply with the guidance prepared by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) published in 2015. This was adopted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) when the ACPO was abolished. This suggests that enforcement should not normally be taken below (Limit + 10% + 2mph). The guidance is here:
library.college.police.uk/docs/appref/ACPO-Speed-Enforcement-Guidance.pdf
It is true that the guidance makes it clear that it does not restrict individual officers from exercising their discretion to take enforcement below the guidance levels if they see fit. However, I have subscribed to a number of motoring legal forums for some years and have witnessed many prosecutions in court. I have never seen a substantiated case where enforcement has been taken below he NPCC guidelines level.
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Isn’t life simpler and safer if you just assume the speed shown on your speedometer is your true speed and you derive accordingly?
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>> Isn’t life simpler and safer if you just assume the speed shown on your speedometer is your true speed and you drive accordingly? >>
Certainly simpler, and probably safer. But in the days of analogue speedos (maybe less so these days) your real speed would usually be up to 10% less than indicated, which gave you a useful safety margin which you might use with confidence. And there are now quite a few roadside radar displays which can help. Hopefully you would be prosecuted on the basis of true speed, not what your speedo shows ?
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>> Hopefully you would be prosecuted
>> on the basis of true speed, not what your speedo shows ?
You will be nicked by whatever calibrated technology* is being used for enforcement at that point and time.
*ranging from a policeman with a speedo to Lidar
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>> You will be nicked by whatever calibrated technology is being used for enforcement at that point and time - ranging from a policeman with a speedo to Lidar >>
Vegetation-penetrating radar ??
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>> Vegetation-penetrating radar ??
As long as its not waving about, tends to confuse the speed reading.
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Bit cold for speedos at the moment though isn't it?
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>> Bit cold for speedos at the moment though isn't it?
Probably but the ten degrees Celsius my weather station tells me it is outside is well weird a week before Christmas.
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"weather station tells me it is outside is well weird a week before Christmas."
A bit warmer than average perhaps but average for this time of year here is 8C
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>> A bit warmer than average perhaps but average for this time of year here is
>> 8C
2 degrees above 8, as in this case, is 25% so not insignificant. Right now it's 10.7.
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12Cm of rain here today.....
Those speedos may be needed
Last edited by: Zero on Thu 18 Dec 25 at 17:39
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>> >> A bit warmer than average perhaps but average for this time of year here
>> is
>> >> 8C
>>
>> 2 degrees above 8, as in this case, is 25% so not insignificant. Right now
>> it's 10.7.
2 degrees above 281 deg Kelvin is 0.7%, which is not that significant:)
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>> Bit cold for speedos at the moment though isn't it?
>>
It's just the Police one-upmanship against the posties....
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>> is your true speed and you derive accordingly?
Yeah I derive all sorts of speeds according to risk and conditions.
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This was one of the trick questions on my biker training.
"What's the maximum speed you should be doing when going from a 30 to a 40 limit"
Followed quickly by
"What's the maximum speed you should be doing when going from a 40 to a 30 limit"
The answer in each case being 30, of course.
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The interface between differente speed limits - Zero
