Drivers have been stunned to learn about a motorway speed limit sign you can freely ignore.
These days it feels like driving on the motorway is a constant battle between overhead gantry signs, average speed camera signs and long-distance speed cameras all vying to catch out the inattentive driver for the slightest mistake.
But a lot of motorists don’t realise that one type of motorway speed limit is not compulsory to follow and holds no legal weight whatsoever.
A Reddit user, BevvyTime, made the discovery about amber speed limit signs as they posted about a recent experience they had on the M2 in Kent.
They said: “On the M2, big crash on the other side with a guy being intubated in an ambulance. Big Amber 50 signs flashing for about two miles beforehand, yet I appeared to be the only person adhering to this?
“Had to speed up to 60 in the end to avoid causing any danger to myself/wife/others – but what is the actual rule here?
“I was pretty sure it wasn’t an optional speed limit.”
In fact, that’s exactly what it is. Although you should always heed guidance on motorway dot matrix signs, any speed limit in an orange or amber circle is just an advisory limit, not a compulsory one.
U/Federal-Lemonade replied: “If I recall correctly, from a speed awareness course I did a few years back, they said that amber speed limit signs are advisory, but if you get into an accident and you’re over that limit you’re leaving yourself open to a dangerous driving charge.”
u/spicy-sausage1 added: “But the amber advisory is not a speed limit and no camera can enforce an advisory. If the flashing amber says 50mph and you’re doing 70mph the police or camera cannot do you for speeding. If they deem your speed to be unsafe, they could take you to court for driving without due care and attention or similar but would need to prove what you were doing was unsafe.
“If it was a straight road with great visibility and minimal traffic you could probably argue the charge away.”
This is backed up by PassMeFast, which says; “Sometimes advisory speed limit signs are used on motorways. These display a number, with amber lights flashing in the corners of the sign. Although not enforceable by law, you should still take note of advisory speed limits. They reflect conditions on the road, and potential hazards that you need to be aware of.”
This is not an invitation to speed up, as many of the amber signs will be issued during times of heavy traffic, adverse weather or heavy fog, and ignoring them completely could still put you and other road users at risk.
And of course they are not to be confused with red circle speed limits, which are hard rules that must be followed. Normally, the red circle speed limits can be found on smart motorways and are usually coupled with speed cameras nestled on overhead gantries which will detect your speed and issue an instant fine.
