Speed is a significant factor in about one third of road accidents in the United Kingdom. This is particularly so in urban areas, where speeding vehicles can adversely affect the quality of life of many communities.
Speed limits are introduced to ensure greater road safety. Measures for influencing the speed of vehicles generally fall into two categories. These are:
- Legislative - speed limits
- Physical - traffic calming devices.
Comprehensive information on the speed limits you would expect to come across on different categories of road is given in chart form in The Highway Code.
How do I set about getting a speed limit altered?
If you would like a speed limit to be lowered, raised or extended, please contact us using the contact details at the bottom of this page. We will then assess your request.
We ask the police for their view on a proposed change to a speed limit. We will also take into account:
- Characteristics of the road, such as its alignment
- Level of activity alongside the road
- Accident record
- Affect caused to a community by the speed of vehicles.
In urban areas, speed limits should fit into a rational and easily understood hierarchy if they are to be observed by drivers. Before deciding to change an existing speed limit, the council must consider all the relevant factors. These include:
- Expected accident savings
- Improvement to the environment
- Improvement in amenities
- Reduction in public anxiety
- Improved facilities for vulnerable road users
- Delays to traffic
- Costs of implementation
- Costs of engineering measures and their maintenance
- Costs of enforcement, especially where the speed limit is regarded as unreasonable by drivers.
If it is considered that a change in the speed limit is justified, a new Speed Limit Order has to be made. This involves a statutory legal process that takes approximately nine months to complete.
If the road in question has a system of street lighting on it with no speed limit repeater signs, the road is already subject to a 30mph speed limit. The council is not allowed to place 30mph repeater signs these roads. The system of street lighting in a built up area should be sufficient evidence of a 30mph speed limit.
If you wish to report a vandalised/ missing speed limit sign, please contact us on the details below:
Traffic Team Contacts:
Traffic & Road Safety Team
Highways and Planning
Church Square House
PO Box 42
Scunthorpe
DN15 6XQ
Telephone: 01724 296685
Fax: 01724 297575
Email: traffic@northlincs.gov.uk.