These figures show the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle. Street lights usually mean that there is a 30mph speed limit unless there are signs showing another limit.  Please note that not all combinations of vehicles are included – for a definitive list, please visit www.gov.uk/speed-limits.

Move your mouse over a vehicle to see the maximum speed limits.

	Cars and motorcycles including car derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight
	Cars towing caravans or trailers including car derived vans and motorcycles
	Buses & Coaches not exceeding 12 metres in overal length
	Goods Vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight
	Goods Vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight

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Enforcement, Speed Awareness Course and Court Summons Thresholds

NSRI and Northumbria Police follow the guidelines recommended by the National Police Chiefs’ Council as pertains to enforcing the speed limit in Northumbria.  If a vehicle is detected at the lower end of speeds above the enforcement threshold, and if the person driving or riding the vehicle has not already completed one in the last three years, then the driver or rider will usually be given the option to attend a “Speed Awareness” course as part of the “National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme” (NDORS) instead of receiving a fixed penalty.  More serious offences are referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for further legal action.

The speed thresholds for these different options are given in the table below:

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Stopping Distances

Stopping distance is affected by a number of factors, including load, condition of the road surface, tyres, brakes, driver reaction times and design and type of vehicle.

Speed	Thinking Distance (Metres)	Braking Distance (Metres)	Total Stopping Distance (Metres)
20mph	6mÂ	6mÂ	12mÂ
30mph	9mÂ	14mÂ	23mÂ
40mph	12mÂ	24mÂ	36mÂ
50mph	15mÂ	38mÂ	53mÂ
60mph	18mÂ	55mÂ	73mÂ
70mph	21mÂ	75mÂ	96mÂ

 

These figures are examples based on dry weather and good tyres and an average family car.  However good a driver we think we are, or however good our car’s ABS is, driving over the limit means it takes much longer to stop and the chances of causing a fatal collision are greatly increased.

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Avoid that ticket

1. Do not exceed legal speed limits – they are there for a reason.
2. Remember that speed limits are a maximum not a target – often it is more appropriate to drive below this speed.
3. Set realistic journey times.
4. Don’t be pressured to speed by other drivers.
5. Be aware of pedestrians, cyclists, children, animals and motorcyclists.
6. Adjust your driving to suit the conditions e.g. near a school, on wet roads etc. so that you could stop in time if necessary:
7. Check your speedometer as frequently as you would your mirrors – it could save your licence
8. Don’t be distracted by passengers or use a mobile phone while driving.
9. Be aware of the speed limits for your vehicle and the type of road.
10. Be an ambassador for driving within the legal speed limits – if you comply the chances are that the driver behind you will too.

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