Road Safety Bill [HL]

We have had an invigorating debate, given the time of night. I hope that noble Lords will bear with me if I take a little time in my reply, as each amendment in the group puts a slightly different aspect on speed issues. Regarding Amendment No. 77, moved by the noble Earl, Lord Attlee, I understand the concerns that might arise from drivers being unaware of the speed limit. However, I hope to show that the amendment is unnecessary. Local traffic authorities can make speed limit orders under Section 84 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as I am sure the noble Earl is aware. Provisions relating to the placing of speed limit signs are contained in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2002. As the power is already available to make provisions relating to repeater signs, primary legislation would not be needed, should it be necessary to change the repeater sign requirements. Those regulations provide that repeater signs are placed at regular intervals along all roads. The only exceptions are street lit roads, where a 30 mph speed limit is in force, or unlit roads, where the national speed limit is in force. The national speed limit is 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on duel carriageways. I acknowledge that the presence of street lighting might be an odd way to indicate speed limits. However, in practice, it has the merit of simplicity. If there are street lights and no signs to the contrary, the speed limit is 30 mph. That has been law for more than 70 years and drivers are required to learn that to pass their driving test. That said, guidance on good practice on the placing and size of repeater signs exists in the form of Traffic Advisory Leaflet 1/95. That is advisory, rather than mandatory, and allows local traffic authorities greater flexibility when placing repeater signs and overcomes the situation where signs that are placed marginally too far apart make the speed limit unenforceable. Ultimately, if local traffic authorities placed repeater signs, as has been advised, a driver should be fully aware of the speed limit that is in force on any given road.