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We promote initiatives and campaigns to help drivers understand the impact of speed. The goal is to achieve safer driving by consensus rather than enforcement.

Our aim is to introduce new speed limits or alter existing ones only where it is justified. Speeding traffic causes great concern to many people.

Speed limits are the maximum speed at which vehicles may legally travel. They keep speeds to a level that is reasonable for the road and area concerned. Drivers who exceed the limits are putting pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers at risk.

What we will do

The problem will be assessed against the criteria laid down by the Government. This is to achieve consistency throughout the whole Country. The speed limit chosen for a particular road must be appropriate for the conditions. This is to ensure that drivers will obey the limit without the need for constant enforcement.

The national criteria laid down by the Department for Transport include following main factors:

  • The existing speed of the majority of vehicles so that the most appropriate limit is chosen.

  • Character of the road and its immediate environment. Drivers will expect to see speed limits in built up areas but not in rural areas.

  • Number of injury accidents (considering the amount of traffic and length of road). This is compared with a national average to see whether a change in speed limit will improve road safety.

  • We generally support the policy of introducing appropriate speed limits. We only to look to increase a speed limit where this is generally supported by residents of the area or is justified on road safety grounds. Speed limits must be seen to be fair by the motorist, or they tend to not be followed.

Have you found a problem spot?

Remember that speeds appear much faster to a pedestrian at the roadside than they really are. Speed limits must be appropriate for the conditions and at a level which drivers will obey.. The introduction of a speed limit by itself will not necessarily reduce traffic speeds. Other measures may also be required. It should be noted that the majority of drivers do comply with speed limits and it is only a minority of drivers that choose to exceed it.

If you still believe that traffic travels too fast along roads in your area you can help us by identifying when and where the problem occurs.

Some facts about speed limits

  • Repeater signs are not used where the national speed limit applies (such as on motorways, or in most urban areas which have street lights)
  • Some schools in Dudley now have 20 mph limits (both mandatory and advisory)
  • 30 mph and 40 mph limits are used in urban areas
  • 50 mph limits are appropriate on some rural roads with a road safety problem
  • It is not appropriate to use speed limits over short lengths (less than 400 metres) or at isolated hazards. These are best dealt with by using specific road signs advising drivers of the problem.

Contact us

Email: road.safety@dudley.gov.uk
Telephone: 01384 815433

Road Safety and Travel Awareness
Traffic, Transportation & Engineering Services
Traffic Management & Road Safety
Environment
Dudley Council

4 Ednam Road
Dudley
DY1 1HL