Dual carriageways came with ease and stress-free travel for drivers and passengers. Because it is a free road, you will get to your destination in less time.
This free road has always been abused though which is why speed limits were introduced to curb the speeding excesses of many drivers.
Depending on the car you are driving, there are different speed limits when you drive on a dual carriageway. So, what is the speed limit in a dual carriageway?
The speed limit for cars and motorcycles on a dual carriageway is 70 mph while the speed limit for trucks and vans in a dual carriageway is 60 mph.
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What is a Dual Carriageway?
A dual carriageway is a form of highway with carriageways for traffic movement in opposite directions usually divided by a median or a central reservation.
Single carriageways are different from dual carriageways in the sense that they do not have a central reservation or median on them regardless of the number of lanes.
Importance of Dual Carriageway
There are so many purposes of dual carriageways. A few of them are listed below:
Keeps Outstation Traffic Away from the City
The heavy traffic that comes with moving inter-state is taken away from the city roads. This is very important because it means that there will be less traffic in the city.
Faster Movement of People, Goods, and Shipments
A dual carriageway provides an option for speedy movement of people, goods, and shipments. If it were to be a normal road, there will be less space on the road to accommodate any cars thus leading to a buildup of traffic along the road.
A dual carriageway ensures vehicles move freely at high speeds so it takes less time to get to their various destinations.
Greater Safety, Comfort, and Convenience of Drivers and Passengers
Driving on a dual carriageway ensures that cars can move freely thereby ensuring that there is less stress along the journey.
What is the Speed Limit in a Dual Carriageway?
The speed limit for cars and motorcycles on a dual carriageway is 70 mph. It is important not to forget the speed limit so you do not violate the law. Let’s talk about some other roads though.
Many times, a lot of drivers try to maintain a speed of 30 mph on the roads. Mainly because they are not sure of the speed limit and they want to play it safe so they do not get in trouble with the police.
Little do they know that they could still be above the speed limit for that road. And so, it is important to be aware of speed limits for different roads you use in a city.
Speed limits are put in place for a reason, to maintain the safety of the road and road users. How do you know and remember the speed limits? There are a few rules to that
Roads that have street lights (for instance, roads in residential estates or towns) usually have a speed limit of 30 mph. This can be different though, but it will be indicated by a sign if it is.
If there is no street light on the roads in residential areas, but a speed limit of 30 mph is in place, there will be repeater signs by the sides of the road to remind the driver of the limit.
If the speed limit is higher or lower in such areas, it will be stated on the repeater signs as well.
On a single carriageway road with no street lighting, cars and motorcycles have a speed limit of 60 mph. On dual carriageways, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 70 mph.
This limit is known nationally as the national speed limit. Other classes of vehicles like trucks and buses have another national speed limit.
What Happens if I Overspeed in a Dual Carriageway?
When you Overspeed on a dual carriageway, you can be issued a speeding ticket in the United States. The average cost of a speeding ticket in the US is $150.
But it is dependent on the speed you were caught driving at and the state you were in. So basically, the cost of the speeding ticket you will be issued when you Overspeed on a dual carriageway depends on how fast you were going, the state you were in, and the points against your license.
What is the Speed Limit on a 2 Lane Dual Carriageway?
The speed limit on either a dual carriageway or a single carriageway is not defined or dependent on the number of lanes in place. The speed limits on a single and dual carriageway are defined by the presence of a median or a central reservation.
If the carriageway (single or dual) is separated by a median or central reservation and has at least one lane on either side of it, both going in opposite directions, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 70 mph.
If the carriageway (single or dual) is not separated by a median or a central reservation and has a sign showing the national speed limit, note that the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 60 mph. This is regardless of the number of lanes present on the carriageway.
Reasons to Maintain Your Speed Limit on a Dual Carriageway
It is important not to see the speed limit on dual carriageways as a target speed. You can drive up to this speed if the circumstance and situation allow you do so without risk.
But you should take into consideration the time of the day (it is dangerous to speed when it is dark), other drivers, and weather conditions. You should not speed at night or when you are approaching a bend just because the speed limit is 70 mph.
You need to maintain the speed limit on a dual carriageway to ensure the safety of yourself and other road users. If you exceed the speed limit, you might lose control of the vehicle at a very high speed and get into an accident. This is very dangerous.
Also, when you drive below the speed limit, you should move out of the fast lane. The fast lane is where drivers go when they want to move freely without slowing down for long periods of time.
If you drive really slow in the fast lane, you risk getting hit by a fast-moving vehicle.
Another reason you should maintain the speed limit on a dual carriageway is that you do not want to get arrested. It is an offense by law to drive above the speed limit. The same law is applicable when you Overspeed in a blind intersection.
If you are clocked and stopped by the police, you will be given a ticket and fined. If you are not a first-time offender, you risk getting arrested by the police for disregarding the law.
It is every driver’s responsibility to be aware of the speed limits for the road they drive on. If there are changes to the speed limits, it will be stated on a sign on the roads so stay alert and look out for road signs along the roads you drive.
What is the Speed Limit for Vans on Dual Carriageway?
On roads, vans are expected to drive slower than cars and motorcycles. They should be on the far-right side of the carriageways also. Pick-up trucks also fall into this category and they have a speed limit on dual carriageways.
It is generally stated that vans and trucks must drive 10 mph less than cars on any road. So, if cars are allowed a speed limit of 70 mph on a dual carriageway, vans have a speed limit of 60 mph.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, speeding is allowed on a dual carriageway but overspeeding is not. As a driver, you should always be aware of the speed limits for the vehicle you are driving on any road. If you exceed the speed limits and are caught, you will have to pay the cost of the ticket you are awarded.