20Mph Roads

[tiggerblue10]

What are the rules regarding 20mph roads? The reason I ask is because there is a very long road I turn onto on the journey to my new house which is 20 speed limit with cameras in some parts. However, whilst I'm sticking to this speed limit I get drivers coming up very close behind. Admittedly I do go over that in the non camera parts but still get drivers right up my ***** Really pees me off and last time I had a van overtake me. Must've been doing 40 as I was doing just under 30!

[THECORBYLOON]

You're doing thirty in a 20mph area and mumping about others driving too close and speeding?

[tiggerblue10]

Well sometimes I just go faster as I feel the driver behind is getting too close. I know I shouldn't do it.

[THECORBYLOON]

I live in a 20mph area and if a driver gets too close to me, I put the brakes on a few times and they get the hint.

[New Judge]

The rules are that you must not exceed 20mph.

[tiggerblue10]

Right then, I'm going to stick with 20 and not give toss about who and what is behind me.

[Tilly2]

I thought the 20 mph was applicable only in school zones.

[pixie374]

Stick to it, tiggs... dont be bullied by drivers behind you. That's their problem.

[Mamyalynne]

If the speed limit is time limited then that must be signposted, otherwise stick to the limit.

[tiggerblue10]

Will do, Pixie! Just hope they don't slam into me when I need to slow down. That's what worries me.

[tiggerblue10]

I haven't noticed a time limit sign but the ones I have seen are the small red and white round ones showing 20.

[geevo41]

This is obviously an ongoing problem for you, tiggerblue 10. First of all check if your local police force follows the ACPO guidelines on speed tolerance. If you google the name if your local force + speeding you will probably find this information. If they do follow the guidelines you will be allowed to drive at the posted limit +10% + 2mph which means if you don't exceed 24 mph you will be safe from prosecution. The odometer in your car will read slightly higher than your true speed as it's illegal for them to read lower.
Does your car have a speed limiter? - if so set it at 24 mph and as you enter the 20 mph zone switch it on and your car will not exceed the set limit and you won't have to keep looking at speedo.
Hope this info will be of help.

[pixie374]

Entirely their fault if they do. I would start slowly, so you don't need to slam on brakes.

[ToraToraTora]

"What are the rules regarding 20mph roads?" - err they have a 20mph speed limit, what is troubling you?

[237SJ]

Our whole borough has a 20mph speed limit. It's actually hard to drive at 20mph in 4th gear. Not sure how driving in 3rd is a good idea (more revs which can't be good for the environment)

[New Judge]

//I thought the 20 mph was applicable only in school zones.//

In London there are boroughs where almost the entire area is 20mph.

//If they do follow the guidelines you will be allowed to drive at the posted limit +10% + 2mph which means if you don't exceed 24 mph you will be safe from prosecution.//

First of all that is incorrect. Enforcement BEGINS at (Limit + 10% +2mph), so 24mph in a 20mph. So if you don't exceed 23mph you will normally be safe from prosecution, 24mph will see enforcement.

The guidelines referred to are those of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC). The ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) was abolished in 2015. The NPCC's guidelines are here:

https://www.npcc.police.uk/2018%20FOI/Operations/030%2018%20Speed%20Enforcement%20Guidance.pdf

The table of enforcement thresholds is at para 9.6. However, you should note paragraph 9.7:

"These guidelines do not and cannot replace police officer’s discretion. Where an officer decides to issue a summons or fixed penalty notice in respect of offences committed at speeds lower than those set out in the table, he or she must consider the tolerances of the equipment used to corroborate their opinion. Police speed equipment are tested to work with a maximum tolerance of +/- 2mph up to 66mph and 3% for all speeds above 66mph, so it is possible to use these tolerances as a prosecution threshold. Moreover, in particular circumstances, driving at speeds lower than the legal limit may result in prosecution for other offences, for example dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention when the speed is inappropriate and inherently unsafe."

You'd be better off setting any such limiter at 20mph.

[DTCwordfan]

If someone is tailgating you, tiggs, press your windscreen wiper washer lever, the water will go over and spray the ijiut behind - and he/she should back off.

[tiggerblue10]

Where would a speed limiter be in my car? Its a 2004 fiesta lx.

[tiggerblue10]

What is troubling me, TTT, is that I have idiots driving up my arris as you would put it!

[davebro]

Tigger. you car probably won't have a speed limiter. Usually only comes with cruise control. Tailgating is a curse we all face when trying to keep to the speed limits. Console yourself with the thought that if someone crashes into your rear it will be their fault & just ignore them.

[Hopkirk]

If you are caught speeding, your defence that the vehicle behind was too close won't wash.