Speed limits

Last updated: 02/04/2013 Add to My Bookmarks Subscribe

Cornwall Council has a speed management strategy that promotes appropriate speed for the circumstances. 

Applying a speed limit to an inappropriate area can result in flagrant disregard by drivers. This can have the knock-on effect of increasing accidents and speeding up some drivers. More significantly it devalues the effectiveness of limits in general, which would ultimately be counter-productive.

Low speed limits are not effective when applied to stretches of open road in rural locations. Such limits are usually applied only in villages or towns where the consistent built-up area presents a series of potential hazards that require a general speed restriction. The need for this can be easily appreciated by drivers, which engenders respect for the limit.

Speed limit signs

Signs have to be erected where there is a change in speed limit. If the national speed limit applies and the road changes between dual and single carriageway the speed limit change does not have to be signed.

30 mph limit

Restricted roads and their associated 30 mph speed limits are established by the presence of a “system of lighting furnished by means of lamps placed not more than 200 yards apart” (s81 and 82 of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984). If such lighting were removed, a new Traffic Regulation Order would be required to sustain the 30 mph limit on that road. Repeaters cannot be used where the speed is 30mph and there is a system of street lighting in place.