Motorway speed limit reduced for drivers in certain cars
Motorway speed limit reduced for drivers in certain cars
The government has warned drivers not to go over the limit
The speed limit can vary depending on what vehicle you're driving
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency )
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a caution to drivers, urging them to be careful of an important legal limit because it's "not always safe". The government has reminded drivers they must adhere to the appropriate speed limit for their vehicle type and the road they are on.
"The speed limit is the absolute maximum - it does not mean it's safe to drive at this speed in all conditions," the Labour Party government website and DVSA have warned.
While the standard motorway speed limit stands at 70mph, it's important to note that it drops to 60mph for cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when they are towing caravans or trailers.
The 60mph limit also applies to buses, coaches, and minibuses over 12 metres in length, as well as goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes in England and Wales.
In the majority of built-up areas across Wales, the standard speed limit is set at 20 miles per hour (32km/h). For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
Some Welsh roads have been reverted back to 30mph but where this is the case signs will advise drivers accordingly.
Article continues below
This decision is subject to individual councils running public consultations asking people which roads they thought should be considered for a change.
The government has warned drivers about driving over the speed limit
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency )
The standard 20mph limit is the same for cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans, motorhomes, dual-purpose vehicles or those towing vehicles and not dependant on vehicle type.
The speed limit for buses, coaches and minibuses (not exceeding 12 metres in overall length), buses, coaches and minibuses (exceeding 12 metres in overall length) is also set at 20mph.
It further applies to goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight), goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales.
Vehicles with more than eight passenger seats, such as buses, minibuses, coaches, and stretch limousines, must be fitted with a speed limiter.
Article continues below
This device must also be installed on goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes.
These devices are engineered to minimise collisions by limiting the maximum speed of a vehicle through restricting the fuel supply to the engine. A speed limiter may mean the vehicle cannot reach the speed limit.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
Parking fees at famous Welsh landmark triggers hunt for 'free' spaces
Parking fees at famous Welsh landmark triggers hunt for 'free' spaces Conwy County Council introduced charges to the Great Orme's summit car park and it's had an immediate effect elsewhere A view of Llandudno's Great Orme from above Dwygyfylchi (Image: David Powell ) Conwy's rising public car park fees are reportedly shifting demand to other facilities within the area. This month, parking charges were introduced at a previously free popular spot on Llandudno's Great Orme. Llandudno Snowsports Centre (LSC) states that rising parking fees at the council's summit car park left them with no choice but to impose their own charges due to the influx of visitors looking for cheaper options. Nigel Treacy, the centre's manager, has observed people turning to his site from pricier town centre parking, with local hotels directing guests there due to free parking. "Some people were being sent here by local hotels," he revealed. "They recommended us because the parking was free. We know this because we heard it from hotel guests." The Llandudno Snowsports Centre's car park which was previously free (Image: Google ) With effect from June, Parking Eye is overseeing the new LSC parking fee of £2 for up to six hours. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Despite the change, some regulars were unprepared; a father who received a £100 fine while watching his son ski vented frustration online, which would drop to £60 if paid within 28 days, reports North Wales Live. Article continues below "I always thought it was free as have never paid before," he lamented. Amidst reductions in funding from the Welsh Government, Conwy Council has consistently raised parking rates over recent years. Charge rates do vary, yet they generally range from £1.50 for an hour up to £7.50 for a four-hour stay, with some seafront spots starting at £5.50. Previously free car parks have also seen the introduction of pay-and-display, with recent upgrades leading to charges at sites in Llanrwst and Llanfairfechan. The Council has cited stretched budgets as the reason for this change, stating it's striving to safeguard essential services within the county. The strategy involves enhancing revenue while scaling back on non-critical services. The council acknowledges that raising parking fees is one of the "difficult choices" it faces in its efforts to manage financial pressures. In Llandudno, where parking demand spikes during the tourist season, plans are afoot for a new "summer" car park, with rates beginning at £2.30 for an hour. Amid these developments, Mr Treacy has decided to implement charges at LSC to ensure parking availability for patrons. He remarked that some customers feel their rates are still too low, saying: "People tell us we're still too cheap!". He compared their pricing, saying: "£2 for up to six hours equates to 33p per hour. In contrast, the (Great Orme) summit car park is £5.50 for up to four hours, equivalent to £1.37 per hour – more than four times as much." LSC's facilities have seen significant investment, including a £300,000 refurbishment five years ago of its 200-metre dry ski slope – the longest in Wales – which now features a more bouncier surface and a 300-head sprinkler system. Additionally, LSC boasts the longest Cresta Toboggan run which is also the longest at 575 metres, as well as with Sno-tubing and "Alpine" crazy golf. Publicity for the new parking charges commenced a month prior to their implementation, leaving Mr Treacy somewhat puzzled as to how any customers could be oblivious to them. "We sat down with the operator and looked at the factors people were most concerned about with parking," he said. "Signage is a big issue – drivers often complain they're not aware of charging. "So we've covered the site in parking signs. They are four provided signs at the entrances, and 13 in the car parks and around the building. We've also paid for an extra 24 signs around the site. "Staff have been instructed to remind customers upon arrival – the last thing we want is for people to incur fines. "We also have multiple ways of paying – coins, contactless and online – and we have a 35-minute grace period without the need to pay: the industry standard is 10 minutes. This is for people who need to make quick bookings or for motorists who accidentally drive up here." The main car park, along with a smaller one located slightly downhill, now feature pay-and-display machines. They can be accessed via a single-lane road through Happy Valley gardens. Both facilities have been labelled as "basic", being gravelled surfaces first installed in 1986 and currently showing signs of wear. LSC has long harboured plans to refurbish them. "Eight years ago we looked at surfacing them with Tarmac but it was felt they would deteriorate too quickly without expensive new drainage," explained Mr Treacy. Initial designs have been proposed for new car parks estimated to cost about £250,000. Yet, justifying such expenditure is challenging given the current frosty economic conditions, particularly within leisure and tourism industries. Article continues below The introduction of new parking fees is anticipated to mitigate financial risks. "We going to need a lot of cars paying £2 a time to get near the target," Mr Treacy remarked.
North Wales Chronicle
14 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Citroen C3 drivers told ‘stop driving' due to airbag fault
The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. The French firm has issued a 'Stop-Drive' order after a recent report stated that a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France, last year. As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France. The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. The car manufacturer in a recent statement said: 'Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plant to support this action to ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer. 'Stellantis remains fully committed to acting swiftly, transparently, and responsibly in addressing this issue.' Owners will be contacted by letter, or they can check whether their car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said on Friday (June 20) that learner drivers can 'claim a refund if they have to change or cancel their driving test at short notice' because of the recall of Citroën C3 and DS3 cars. If you intend to take the test in a Citroën C3 or DS3, check if it's affected on the Citroën website. Recommended reading: How you could get a roadside fine amid new DVSA changes HMRC How is car tax changing on April 1 2025 for drivers? DVLA issues warning to anyone who passed their driving test before 2015 'Do not drive your car until it has been repaired if it's affected,' the DVSA states. 'You will need to get your car repaired before you can drive it again. This includes using it for your driving test.' Those affected can apply for a refund for their driving test by 11.59pm on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
Rhyl Journal
16 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Citroen C3 drivers told ‘stop driving' due to airbag fault
The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroen C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. The French firm has issued a 'Stop-Drive' order after a recent report stated that a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroen C3 in Reims, France, last year. As a result, around 82,000 C3 and DS3 models have been removed from the road across France. The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. The car manufacturer in a recent statement said: 'Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plant to support this action to ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer. 'Stellantis remains fully committed to acting swiftly, transparently, and responsibly in addressing this issue.' Owners will be contacted by letter, or they can check whether their car is affected by using the VIN check tool on Citroen's website. You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said on Friday (June 20) that learner drivers can 'claim a refund if they have to change or cancel their driving test at short notice' because of the recall of Citroën C3 and DS3 cars. If you intend to take the test in a Citroën C3 or DS3, check if it's affected on the Citroën website. Recommended reading: How you could get a roadside fine amid new DVSA changes HMRC How is car tax changing on April 1 2025 for drivers? DVLA issues warning to anyone who passed their driving test before 2015 'Do not drive your car until it has been repaired if it's affected,' the DVSA states. 'You will need to get your car repaired before you can drive it again. This includes using it for your driving test.' Those affected can apply for a refund for their driving test by 11.59pm on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
