gnasty gnome:
The classic case of confusion on this bit of law was on the A556, where there are 4 lanes (2 each way) but only a double white line dividing the two; there were documented cases of HGV’s getting pulled there, the drivers being under the mistaken impression that it was a dual carriageway whereas in fact it ain’t.
To be completely fair that wasn’t confusion in the case of the A556, that was just stupidity.
From the highway code:
Dual carriageways
A dual carriageway is a road which has a central reservation to separate the carriageways.
Also from the highway code:
Goods vehicles
(above 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight)
Built up areas
30 (48)
Single Carriage ways
40 (64)
Dual carriage ways
50 (80)
Motorways
60 (96)
50 for me too, seeing how it’s legal anyway. Might get away with pedal to the metal in that situation (what with the maximum speed normally attainable being within ACPO guidelines for not bothering with a speeding ticket IYKWIM) by why risk it? I wouldn’t do anything the slightest bit dodgy if I knew i was being observed, especially if it was the police.
Coffeeholic:
gnasty gnome:
The classic case of confusion on this bit of law was on the A556, where there are 4 lanes (2 each way) but only a double white line dividing the two; there were documented cases of HGV’s getting pulled there, the drivers being under the mistaken impression that it was a dual carriageway whereas in fact it ain’t.To be completely fair that wasn’t confusion in the case of the A556, that was just stupidity.
What about the A38(M) Aston Expressway, is that 40mph for HGVs?
SmashedCrabFace:
Coffeeholic:
gnasty gnome:
The classic case of confusion on this bit of law was on the A556, where there are 4 lanes (2 each way) but only a double white line dividing the two; there were documented cases of HGV’s getting pulled there, the drivers being under the mistaken impression that it was a dual carriageway whereas in fact it ain’t.To be completely fair that wasn’t confusion in the case of the A556, that was just stupidity.
What about the A38(M) Aston Expressway, is that 40mph for HGVs?
No idea…always had it on the limiter coming down there…especially at going home time!
SmashedCrabFace:
Coffeeholic:
gnasty gnome:
The classic case of confusion on this bit of law was on the A556, where there are 4 lanes (2 each way) but only a double white line dividing the two; there were documented cases of HGV’s getting pulled there, the drivers being under the mistaken impression that it was a dual carriageway whereas in fact it ain’t.To be completely fair that wasn’t confusion in the case of the A556, that was just stupidity.
What about the A38(M) Aston Expressway, is that 40mph for HGVs?
The clue is in the (M).
Already asked about this weekend on another thread.
Cruise Control:
Cant be bothered to wade through the 50,000 page topic on this a while back so thought as it confused the hell out of me about whats classed a dual carriageway and the “divider” i ask, simple answer required is all…on this road in your truck,road marked as a DC ( as in DC AHEAD etc) with a traffic cop behind you,.
would you do 40 or 50mph?
would the traffic car tug you if did the posted limit?
0
cheers
You driving on the wrong Site of the Road?
Lovlyperson:
Cruise Control:
Cant be bothered to wade through the 50,000 page topic on this a while back so thought as it confused the hell out of me about whats classed a dual carriageway and the “divider” i ask, simple answer required is all…on this road in your truck,road marked as a DC ( as in DC AHEAD etc) with a traffic cop behind you,.
would you do 40 or 50mph?
would the traffic car tug you if did the posted limit?
0
cheersYou driving on the wrong Site of the Road?
Geisterfahrer. 
The confusion arises from the defenition of a dual carriageway. There must be some physical barrier like a kerb between the two carriageways. A painted line is not enough.
On the other hand a dual carriageway doesn’t have to have more than one lane in each direction, provided that the lanes are seperated as described above.
If it is a motorway then motorway rules apply regardless.
Snudger wrote
(what with the maximum speed normally attainable being within ACPO guidelines for not bothering with a speeding ticket IYKWIM)
Thats why I did a speed awareness course this year. See my post A303 Hampshire
I seem to remember reading somewhere that if a d/c has a 50mph limit on it,as in the photo,then the limit is 40mph for HGV’s.Can’t think where I read it though 
Be careful with motorways, an urban motorway may well have a reduced limit of 50mph as the A1M Central Motorway through Newcastle does and possibly others in Birmingham or Manchester, long time since I’ve been down there now so regular users may know better or they might not! I know many drivers (mainly car) that call Dual Carriageways, Motorways and therefore believe 70 is the limit despite it not qualifying for reasons mentioned. A quick poll of drivers no doubt would reveal a lot of incorrect answers when asked about speed limits on different carriage ways, of course us being professionals know better, ahem! Cheers Franky.
Highlander:
I seem to remember reading somewhere that if a d/c has a 50mph limit on it,as in the photo,then the limit is 40mph for HGV’s.Can’t think where I read it though
I’ve no idea where you would have read that but it’s wrong anyway
The maximum allowed speed on a dual carriageway for HGVs is 50 mph unless there’s a sign showing a lower speed.
Highlander:
I seem to remember reading somewhere that if a d/c has a 50mph limit on it,as in the photo,then the limit is 40mph for HGV’s.Can’t think where I read it though
Probably The Beano or an RDC waiting room wall because it’s ■■■■■■■■.
Amazing where these little snippets of incorrect info or acts come from, not so long ago a lad at work was berating other drivers for not indicating back in once they had overtook him, moaning because not every driver was doing it. He wasn’t aware it wasn’t in the Highway Code and wasn’t a requirement, just something someone started to do and every other sheep decided to follow, I wouldn’t be surprised if Instructors are telling learners to do this, there seems to be a lot doing it now, WHY!
Ah reminds me of this post… A5 West Bound (Hinckley to Atherstone) or (M69 to M42 for non-locals!)
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41916&hilit=+camera#p468830
“oh its not a dual carriageway!!”
“i won’t do over 40 there!”
andy187:
Ah reminds me of this post… A5 West Bound (Hinckley to Atherstone) or (M69 to M42 for non-locals!)
I dug that thread up yesterday and had a read through it, did you ever actually get an NIP?. Two years on and there does seem to be a slight improvement amongst so-called professionals about what is and isn’t a dual carriageway. It’s still a little embarrassing though and I dread to think of the next generation growing up with this lack of basic knowledge.
Did you see what i did there?
Santa:
The confusion arises from the defenition of a dual carriageway. There must be some physical barrier like a kerb between the two carriageways. A painted line is not enough.On the other hand a dual carriageway doesn’t have to have more than one lane in each direction, provided that the lanes are seperated as described above.
If it is a motorway then motorway rules apply regardless.
To further re-enforce Santa’ post I had a scout around on google (Yes I’m extremely bored at work!!) and I found this as the definitive answer for the definition of a ‘central reservation’
"a narrow raised piece of ground that separates the two sides of a motorway or other main road.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of central reservation"
And the highway code makes no reference to a two lane carriageway or otherwise, it just states a road or carriageway seperated by a central reservation has a maximum speed limit of 50mph for LGV unless signposted otherwise.
