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Difficulty: HardSpeed Limits on Motorways

Match each motorway vehicle configuration or traffic signal scenario with its correct legal speed status and maximum limit under the UK Highway Code.

  • A passenger car towing a small utility trailer on an unrestricted motorwayStatutory national speed limit of 60 mph
  • A solo motorcycle travelling on an unrestricted motorway with no active temporary restrictionsStatutory national speed limit of 70 mph
  • A vehicle approaching an overhead gantry displaying the numeral 40 illuminated inside a red ringMandatory variable speed limit of 40 mph that is legally enforceable
  • A vehicle approaching an overhead matrix sign displaying flashing amber lights alongside the numeral 50Advisory maximum speed of 50 mph recommended for safety but not legally enforceable

Answer

Passenger car towing a trailer pairs with statutory national speed limit of 60 mph; solo motorcycle pairs with statutory national speed limit of 70 mph; overhead gantry with numeral 40 in a red ring pairs with mandatory variable speed limit of 40 mph; flashing amber matrix sign with 50 pairs with advisory maximum speed of 50 mph.
The correct pairings accurately reflect UK Highway Code rules: vehicles towing trailers are restricted to 60 mph on motorways; solo motorcycles operate under the standard 70 mph national speed limit; numerals displayed within a red ring represent legally enforceable mandatory variable limits; and numerals accompanied by flashing amber lights represent advisory speed recommendations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the statutory restriction for vehicle combinations towing trailers on motorways.
Cars towing trailers have a lower motorway national speed limit of 60 mph compared to the 70 mph limit for solo cars.
Towing adds mass and reduces stability, requiring a lower statutory speed threshold.
2
Identify the baseline statutory national speed limit for solo motorcycles and passenger cars on unrestricted motorways.
Solo motorcycles are subject to the standard 70 mph motorway national speed limit.
Standard single-unit passenger vehicles and motorcycles share the highest statutory motorway limit when no lower restriction is posted.
3
Differentiate regulatory status based on the visual design of the electronic motorway signal.
Red circular rings indicate mandatory regulatory speed limits, whereas flashing amber lights indicate advisory recommendations.
Red rings convey mandatory legal prohibitions under UK road traffic law, while amber signals communicate advisory warnings.
4
Match each individual scenario to its precise regulatory and numerical speed definition.
All four vehicle and signal scenarios are mapped to their unique legal limit definitions.
Ensures accurate distinction between statutory limits, variable mandatory limits, and advisory signals.

Key Concept

Statutory vehicle-specific motorway speed limits and legal distinction between mandatory red-ring variable limits and amber advisory signals
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Speed Limits on Motorways

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