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Difficulty: HardSpeed Limits on Motorways

You are driving a car towing a trailer along a smart motorway. An overhead electronic gantry displays the number 70 inside a red circle above each open lane. Under these conditions, what is the maximum legal speed at which you are permitted to drive?

  1. A
    50 mph
  2. 60 mphAnswer
  3. C
    70 mph
  4. D
    80 mph

Answer

60 mph
The correct answer is 60 mph. Under the UK Highway Code, cars towing a trailer or caravan are subject to a statutory maximum speed limit of 60 mph on both dual carriageways and motorways. Even when an overhead gantry displays a mandatory 70 mph speed limit inside a red circle, variable speed limit signs cannot raise or override lower statutory limits set for specific vehicle types.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the statutory speed limit for the specific vehicle category
Under the UK Highway Code, a car towing a trailer or caravan is restricted to a maximum speed of 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
Vehicle class restrictions apply statutory maximum speed ceilings based on vehicle handling, weight, and braking dynamics.
2
Interpret the overhead variable speed limit gantry display
The number 70 within a red ring indicates a mandatory maximum speed limit of 70 mph for general motorway traffic.
Signs enclosed within a red ring convey mandatory legal orders and prohibitions.
3
Apply the rule governing the interaction between general speed limits and vehicle-specific caps
The vehicle must not exceed 60 mph.
An illuminated gantry showing a higher general speed limit (such as 70 mph) cannot raise or override lower statutory vehicle-specific limits.

Key Concept

Statutory speed limits for towing vehicles on motorways versus mandatory variable speed limits
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Speed Limits on Motorways

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