Speed limits and the penalties for breaking them

Consequences of speeding

Too much speed is one of the ‘Fatal Five’, the main reasons people are dying on our roads. Speed is therefore a significant reason in collisions and has a huge impact on the severity of injuries sustained.

Speeding means that you will have much less time to react to driving conditions. It also means that if you have a collision it will be much more violent and more likely to result in serious or fatal injuries.  

Be aware that at:

  • 20 mph a child hit by a vehicle has a 90 per cent chance of survival
  • 30 mph a child hit by a vehicle has a 50 per cent chance of survival
  • 40 mph a child hit by a vehicle has a 10 per cent chance of survival

Slow down to allow for other people’s mistakes.

Speed limits

Type of vehiclebuilt up areas* mph (kmh)single carriageways mph (kmh)Dual carriageways mph (kmh)Motorways mph (kmh)
Cars and motorcycles (including car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight)

30

(48)

60 

(96)

70

(112)

70

(112)

Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car-derived vans and motorcycles)

30

(48)

50

(80)

60

(96)

60

(96)

Buses, coaches and minibuses (Not exceeding 12 metres in overall length)

30 

(48)

50

(80)

60

(96)

70

(112)**

Goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight)

30 

(48)

50

(80)

60 

(96)

70

(112)**

Goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight)

30

(48)

40

(64)

50

(80)

60

(96)

 

*The 30 mph limit usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting unless signs show something else.
** 60 mph (96 kmh) if articulated or towing a trailer.

You can find out more information in sections 117 to 126 (control of the vehicle) of The Highway Code.