Speeding Solicitors - Understanding Speed Limits

Stephanie Staszko
August 12, 2011

Speeding solicitors are required in situations where a person believes they have been wrongly accused of exceeding the speed limit of a particular road. Speed limits have been in existence since 1965 with the original limit for any road was the National Speed Limit of 70mph. In current times, speed limits vary from the National Speed Limit, a Fixed Speed Limit and a Variable Speed Limit, depending on the vehicle, road and variable conditions such as the weather.

National Speed Limit

The National Speed Limit applies to any road which does not have a lower numerical value signified by sign posts or a variable/temporary speed limit sign. The National Speed Limit is primarily enforced to increase road safety and can be indicated by a white circular sign with a black diagonal stripe across the circle. Although speed limit signs are in existence for a very good reason, many people exceed the speed limit or are accused of doing so, which in turn can result in points being added to driving licences, fines being imposed and even driving disqualifications.

Fixed Speed Limits

Fixed Speed Limits are the more widely used speed limit signs and these are different from National Speed Limit signs. These signs are indicated by a black numerical value within a red-outlined white circle. The red outline of the circle signifies that obeying the sign is compulsory and the number on the sign indicates the speed limit that should be adhered to. Such speed limits being in place usually apply to areas where increased road safety is required. For example, roads surrounding schools require a lower speed limit due to children using the area.

Variable Speed Limits

Variable speed limits are typically used on major roads and motorways; they indicate a change in speed limit and are displayed in electrically lit signs. They are generally responses to a change in the current road conditions within the area, such as heavy traffic congestion, accidents or poor weather conditions. Variable speed limits are more commonly known to the public as temporary speed limits and should still be adhered to at all times. Even with the speed limits being temporary can mean people are accused of exceeding the speed limit and can be prosecuted for speeding so long as the correct signage was in place to notify the driver.

Speed Detection Devices

Speed detection devices are in place on our roads in an effort to keep our roads safer by encouraging people to abide by the laws of speed limits in place. Devices used to detect speeding offenders include: hand-held laser devices; fixed cameras which use radar detection; police in-car equipment which calculates an average speed over a set distance; road sensors detecting speed and multiple cameras detecting an average speed. Although speed limits and speed detection devices are in operation to encourage safer driving and safer roads, there are cases when the correct signage was not in place and cases where the speed detection devices were not correctly operated, which could result in drivers being wrongly accused of speeding.

Anyone accused of speeding can find themselves incurring fines, penalty points on their driving licences and in some cases, a disqualification from driving. This is where speeding solicitors can assist as they fully understand all aspects of motoring law including the speed limits, how the speed detection devices should be operated and what records need to be completed to ensure the speed reading was accurate. Anyone who is accused of speeding or any related motoring offences and does not believe that they were in fact speeding, is advised to contact a specialist motor law solicitor for legal advice. Speeding solicitors can help to determine if there are any errors within a case in an effort to avoid a prosecution and if necessary propose mitigating factors to minimise penalties.

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Written by Stephanie Staszko on behalf of Just Motor Law who are specialist speeding solicitors http://justmotorlaw.co.uk/blog/index.php/2011/08/11/speeding-solicitors-understanding-speed-limits/ and deal with all types of motoring offences http://www.justmotorlaw.co.uk/