Single carriage way same speed limit as single country lane?

[Coffee]

Has a single carriage way with a lane for each direction got the same speed limit of 60mph as a single country lane (roughly potholed, road surface a mix of cement,tarmac,gravel) wide enough for one car (+ a foot or two between cycle handlebars) and a few passing bays dotted along it....still 60mph?

I'm used to cars slowing to pass me, head on or behind if we aren't near a bay, it's a lot easier to cycle/drive closer to the verge at slower speeds and give each other space but lately its like a game of chicken at 60mph+.

Part of National route 51 - Cow Lane Godmanchester, anyone know it? (for motor vehicles it only goes down to some fishing lakes, dog walking route)

[stewartpratt]

Yup, 60mph unless specifically restricted.

[Mick F]

Yes, 60 for cars and light vans, but 50 for vans, busses and light lorries, and even 40 for HGVs.

Highway Code Rule 124


There are plans to make rural roads 50mph. Vans, busses and lorries? I dunno.

[TheBrick]

The limit though is always there though when conditions are ideal, so drivers still have a responsibility to keep speeds down and could be fined for careless or dangerous driving.

[gilesjuk]

Should be a blanket 30MPH where there's no lines IMHO.

Drivers frustrated at not being able to speed in the towns are now using the lanes for their joyriding. One such lane is near where I live and there's a stone wall which probably doesn't have an original section left as it has been rebuilt that many times.

Even the chevron corner signs have been taken out by someone going too fast and not making the corner.

I don't see why traffic calming and speed cameras only apply to "built up" areas. What about cyclists, walkers, running and horse riders who all use the lanes? some horses are so nervous that a rider can be thrown off by the sound of a driver screeching to a halt.

[gaz]

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[Coffee]

I'm amazed that anyone could think these two types of road are in the same 60mph league.

I think 50mph is still too high for this road. You certainly couldn't stop in the same breaking distance as a good tarmac road, the gravel is likely to send you off in a different direction anyway, it's a single lane for two way traffic!!!

It's terrifying to have something drive towards you at 60mph that close.

I know a delightful bit of narrow potholed country lane that's dual carriageway 70mph limit.

So occassionally someone will bomb down it safe in the knowledge that nothing's coming the other way but oblivious to the possible presence of cyclists, equestrians, pedestrians, etc.

Narrow dual carriageway? Two lanes each way?

[epicurus]

Has a single carriage way with a lane for each direction got the same speed limit of 60mph as a single country lane (roughly potholed, road surface a mix of cement,tarmac,gravel) wide enough for one car (+ a foot or two between cycle handlebars) and a few passing bays dotted along it....still 60mph?

I'm used to cars slowing to pass me, head on or behind if we aren't near a bay, it's a lot easier to cycle/drive closer to the verge at slower speeds and give each other space but lately its like a game of chicken at 60mph+.

I ride on lanes like that quite often. You have to use judgement, but when appropriate I do as "Cyclecraft" suggests and keep to the centre of the road until a passing place is reached, or until the car slows right down.

[Coffee]

Has a single carriage way with a lane for each direction got the same speed limit of 60mph as a single country lane (roughly potholed, road surface a mix of cement,tarmac,gravel) wide enough for one car (+ a foot or two between cycle handlebars) and a few passing bays dotted along it....still 60mph?

I'm used to cars slowing to pass me, head on or behind if we aren't near a bay, it's a lot easier to cycle/drive closer to the verge at slower speeds and give each other space but lately its like a game of chicken at 60mph+.

I ride on lanes like that quite often. You have to use judgement, but when appropriate I do as "Cyclecraft" suggests and keep to the centre of the road until a passing place is reached, or until the car slows right down.

Yeah, this til now has worked, but mostly with cars at sensible speeds anyway, but like I say it's a game of chicken if the car is going to stick to the 'legal' limit of 60mph while I'm out in the lane. Cyclecraft has it's limits, unless I pack it in my cycle jacket for extra padding when I hit the ground.

[gilesjuk]

but when appropriate I do as "Cyclecraft" suggests and keep to the centre of the road until a passing place is reached, or until the car slows right down.

If it's a farmer in his Land Rover Disco then they don't slow and you have to bail off the road at the last second.

[workhard]

the OP has pretty much highlighted the perils of my rural commute, people in these parts seem to think the speed limit is simultaneously the statutory minimum!

[cjchambers]

people in these parts seem to think the speed limit is simultaneously the statutory minimum!

I know exactly what you mean - as well as on small roads, it's quite obvious in bad weather too. Note to drivers - putting your wipers on 'super fast' doesn't turn your car into a hovercraft!

[thirdcrank]

Once upon a time, traffic was so light on many rural side roads that drivers of the Toad of Toad Hall tendency could rely on the chances of something coming the other way being small. This no longer applies as an inspection of the tyre rubber on the surface near any blind bend demonstrates. The Ministry of Transport (or whatever it is currently called) has shillied and shallied over this and it will just get worse, as satnav takes more drivers down these once-deserted roads. When I'm driving I tend to get other drivers up my exhaust pipe on these roads so I always move over at the first opportunity, stopping briefly in a lay-by or entrance if necessary; I prefer to have somebody who's able to see around corners in front of me, rather than getting impatient behind.

[paulah]

I think the 60mph speed limit is overridden by the requirement to drive within the drivers limit of visibility and abaility to stop. If they can't see you soon enough then they'rwe going too fast not matter what the speed limit is.

[gaz]

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