Speed Limits
In powerfully engined modern vans it is easy not to notice your speed. This is especially true in car-derived vans such as the the Vauxhall Astravan or Fiat Grande PuntoThe speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions. Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions can be dangerous. You should always reduce your speed when:
- - The road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends
- - Sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, particularly children and motorcyclists
- - Weather conditions make it safer to do so
- - Driving at night as it is harder to see other road users
You must not exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle (see table below). Street lights usually mean that there is a 30 mph speed limit unless there are signs showing another limit.
Please Note - The 30 mph limit applies to all traffic on all roads in England and Wales (only Class C and unclassified roads in Scotland) with street lighting unless signs show otherwise.
| Type of Vehicle |
Built-up Areas |
Single Carriageways |
Dual Carriageways |
Motorways |
| |
MPH |
MPH |
MPH |
MPH |
| Cars (including car derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight) |
30 |
60 |
70 |
70 |
| Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car delivery vans) |
30 |
50 |
60 |
60 |
| Buses and coaches (not exceeding 12 metres in overall length) |
30 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
| Goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) |
30 |
50 |
60 |
70 (60 if articulated or towing a trailer) |
| Goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) |
30 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
These are the national speed limits and apply to all roads unless signs show otherwise.
Rest of Europe
You should check for individual limits for each country you may visit. Let's take France as an example:
Last year four million British motorists were caught offending on the other side of the Channel and this figure is likely to grow as the French authorities plan to introduce cameras to catch red-light runners at traffic light-controlled junctions. They will also be launching an offence against 'tailgaters' - those who drive too close to the vehicles in front of them.
French speed / traffic violation camera sites are now linked to a fully-automated system for sending out fine notices. When a vehicle is caught speeding by an automatic speed camera, the picture is immediately sent, via broadband internet connection, to a dedicated police centre where the registration of the car is taken. A fine is then sent to the owner of the car when the address is known. Also, foreign cars that are recorded by speed cameras will be logged into a national database.
Although procedures that allow European Traffic authorities to chase up fines from offenders in the UK, via the DVLA, this does not come into force until later this year. British drivers found guilty of traffic offences in France who don't or can't pay on the spot fines face having their cars impounded.
Penalties will rise 'significantly' the longer a car is impounded. In the worst cases, drivers will not be able to recover their cars until a French judge says they can.
Those thinking they have avoided fines by getting back to the UK could find themselves stopped for outstanding violations, if they return to France. This stringent move is part of a dramatic new onslaught by the French authorities, who complain that foreign drivers think they can get away with speeding and reckless driving.
Whilst the French want to ensure equality between French road users and foreigners, it is hoped that the new procedure which covers fines only, (points will not be applicable for the foreseeable future) will be equitable and apply to all EU Citizens as the UK suffers a similar problem with foreign drivers not paying penalties for traffic violations.
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