Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumSpeed Limits

A driver travelling on a dual carriageway subject to the national speed limit is legally permitted to exceed 70 mph temporarily when overtaking a slower vehicle.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False
Under UK road traffic law and the Highway Code, statutory speed limits are absolute maximums and must never be exceeded under any circumstances, including when overtaking. If a driver cannot complete an overtaking manoeuvre without breaking the speed limit, they must remain behind the slower vehicle.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the legal status of the national speed limit for passenger cars on dual carriageways.
The national speed limit for a standard passenger car on a dual carriageway is 70 mph, which functions as an absolute legal ceiling.
Highway Code Rule 124 and Rule 125 establish that speed limits represent absolute maximum speeds permitted on designated road classes.
2
Evaluate whether UK traffic law provides temporary speed exemptions for overtaking slower-moving traffic.
No temporary speed limit exemption exists for standard road users during an overtake.
Overtaking manoeuvres must always be executed safely and completely within the prevailing legal speed limit.
3
Determine the veracity of the statement.
The statement is False.
Exceeding the statutory speed limit at any point during an overtake constitutes an unlawful speeding offence.

Key Concept

Absolute nature of legal speed limits during overtaking
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question

Topics

Speed Limits

More questions from this topic