Car Insurance
Speed limits – why we have them and the implications of breaking them
Let’s be brutally honest, how many of us have broken the speed limit? Just about all of us, if we’re truthful. After all, 30mph seems so slow – particularly if you’re in a hurry.
But speed limits are there for a reason, and very a good reason at that – safety. 30mph in built-up areas, 40mph in less densely populated areas, 60mph on single carriageways and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways. You’ll even find some residential areas with a speed limit of just 20mph, especially near schools.
It is easy to exceed speed limits but just think about this; if you hit a pedestrian at 35mph the accident is twice as likely to be fatal than if you hit them at 30mph. Sobering, indeed.
If you are caught speeding, either by the police, or by the growing number of speed cameras placed along our roads, expect points on your licence, a fine, and in some extreme cases, a ban. Not a good way to keep your car insurance premiums low.
One thing that’s all to easy to forget is that speed limits indicate the MAXIMUM speed you’re allowed to drive at in a particular area – not the safest. Road or traffic conditions may dictate otherwise. On the other hand, it can sometimes be the case that drivers, in fact, drive too slowly – just because you’re within the speed limit, it doesn’t make you safe. A prime example being that driver pootling along at 35mph in the middle lane of the motorway. Within the limit, yes. Safe? No.
Speed limits also differ depending what size of vehicle you happen to be driving. For instance, if you’re towing a caravan, the maximum speed you should be driving at is 50mph. This prevents the possibility of ‘snaking’. The same speed limit also applies to lorries fitted with trailers – although it’s unlikely, as a car driver, you’ll find yourself behind the wheel of one of those!
So, the next time you get in your car and turn the ignition key, take a little time to think about how fast you should be driving once you pull out into the traffic. Just to emphasis how important speed limits are, let’s end on this thought-provoking fact from the Department for Transport.
Every year, on the UK’s roads, 40,000 serious injuries and 1,000 deaths are directly attributed to speeding drivers. THINK!