What is National Speed Limit on a Single Carriageway Road?

The national speed limit on a single-carriageway road, also known as a rural or country road, is between 50 and 60 mph for different types of vehicles. However, 60 mph is the highest you can go on a single road in any type of vehicle.

Despite a lower speed limit than dual carriageway roads and motorways, more than 50% of fatal crashes in Britain occur on single carriageway roads.

So, is it safe to follow the 60 mph speed limit on a single-carriageway road? And more importantly, what is a single-carriageway road?

Let’s find out the answers to your queries about national speed limits!

What is the National Speed Limit in the UK? How is it Signified?

The national speed limit simply means the designated speed limit you can retain on any given road. The national speed limits are signified by a white-coloured circular-shaped sign with a black stripe running diagonally from bottom left to top right.

It is important to note that this sign doesn’t have a speed limit. It just lets you know that national speed limits apply in that particular area. So, it assumes that you know the maximum speed limit and can decide your own speed according to your vehicle type.

Another important thing you should know about speed limits in the UK is that the local councils can set their own speed limits. Plus, to improve the flow of traffic, the police can sometimes increase or decrease the speed limit on any given.

Therefore, you must always watch out for the speed limit signs on the road. But ultimately, the decision rests with you. You must always choose a safe speed under the given limit!

What’s the National Speed Limit for Different Types of Roads?

The table below lists the speed limits for various types of vehicles on different types of roads.

Single Carriageways

The national speed limit on a single carriageway is 60 mph.

A single-carriageway is like a one-lane road, where traffic flows in both directions. There’s no divider or central reservation to separate the two sides. This means even a tiny, winding country lane can have the same speed limit as a wide, multi-lane highway.

Please note that the speed limit for cars towing caravans on single carriageways is 50 mph.

Dual Carriageways and Motorways

The national speed limit on a dual-carriageway or a Motorway is 70 mph.

While many people think that dual carriageways need to have at least two lanes for each direction of travel, this isn’t always the case. Any road divided by a central reservation is considered a dual carriageway. This includes many major roads, as well as motorways.

You’ll typically see a speed limit sign at the beginning of a dual carriageway or motorway. However, this speed limit can change, especially on smart motorways. Operators can adjust the speed limit electronically based on factors like traffic flow and accidents. This can help to prevent stop-and-go traffic and keep you moving, even if at a slower speed.

Built Up-Areas

The national speed limit in the built-up areas is 30 mph.

Any road that isn’t a single carriageway or dual or a Motorway is considered to fall under the built-up category. Generally, you can tell if you’re in a built-up area by the presence of street lights. These areas tend to have more pedestrians walking around and crossing the street.  

This category has the lowest speed limit as it has the narrowest roads. You’ll often see a 30 mph sign when you enter a city, town, or village. But even if there’s no sign, you should assume the speed limit is 30 mph if you’re in a built-up area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you use a speed limiter on a single-carriageway road?

Speed limiters are not mandatory on single-carriageway roads for most vehicles. However, there are specific exceptions where a speed limiter must be fitted. These exceptions include large passenger vehicles like buses and coaches, as well as goods vehicles that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes when fully loaded.

What’s the fine for going over the national speed limit on a single-carriageway road?

If you exceed the national speed limit on a single-carriageway road in the UK, you could face a fine of up to £1,000. If you are caught exceeding the speed limit on any road, the fines and penalties will depend on how far over the limit you were driving. However, the minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine, and 3 penalty points are added to your licence. Alternatively, you can also receive an offer to attend a speed awareness course in the UK, if you’re caught speeding. However, that’s usually tied to how above the speed limit you were going.

Wrapping Up: Is it Safe to Drive the National Speed Limit on a Single Carriageway Road?

No, it’s not always safe to drive the speed limit on a single-carriageway road. These roads are usually twisty and narrow; therefore, you must decide the speed yourself according to your type of vehicle and road conditions. But you should not exceed the 60 mph mark under any scenario.

With rural roads often having just one lane going each way and no real barriers to separate traffic, it’s usually too dangerous to drive at 60 miles per hour. It’s just not safe.