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Difficulty: MediumSpeed Limits

Different national speed limits apply across Great Britain depending on the road category, presence of street lighting, and whether a vehicle is towing. Match each driving scenario to the maximum legal speed limit that applies.

  • A solo passenger car driving on a road in a built-up area with continuous street lighting and no speed limit signs30 mph
  • A car towing a caravan on an unlit single carriageway road where the national speed limit applies50 mph
  • A car towing a luggage trailer on a three-lane motorway under standard national speed limit rules60 mph
  • A solo passenger car driving on a dual carriageway separated by a central reservation where the national speed limit applies70 mph

Answer

Built-up road with street lighting matches 30 mph; car towing a caravan on a single carriageway matches 50 mph; car towing a trailer on a motorway matches 60 mph; solo car on a dual carriageway matches 70 mph.
According to the UK Highway Code (Rule 124), the national speed limit for a solo car is 30 mph in built-up areas with street lights, 60 mph on single carriageways, and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. Towing a trailer or caravan reduces the legal maximum speed by 10 mph on non-built-up roads: to 50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the default speed limit rule for roads with continuous street lighting.
Street lighting without repeater signs indicates a built-up area, setting the limit to 30 mph.
The Highway Code establishes 30 mph as the general urban limit where street lights are present.
2
Determine the effect of towing a caravan on a single carriageway.
The limit drops by 10 mph from the standard car limit (60 mph) down to 50 mph.
Towing restrictions lower the maximum single carriageway limit to maintain safe stopping distances.
3
Determine the limit for towing on a motorway.
The motorway limit drops by 10 mph from 70 mph down to 60 mph.
Vehicles towing trailers on motorways and dual carriageways are legally restricted to 60 mph.
4
Identify the national speed limit for a solo passenger car on a dual carriageway.
The maximum legal limit is 70 mph.
Solo cars and motorcycles share the maximum 70 mph limit on dual carriageways and motorways.

Key Concept

UK National Speed Limits by vehicle type, towing status, and road classification
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Speed Limits

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