Safe speeds

People make mistakes, and the human body can only cope with so much impact created in a collision.

This is why Norfolk follows the Safe System approach to road safety. The Safe System is based on several key areas, including:

• Safe roads
• Safe vehicles
• Safe road use
• Safe speeds

Safe speeds are a vital part of this approach, helping to reduce the severity of collisions when they happen. 

This means designing roads, setting appropriate speed limits and supporting road users in a way that helps to reduce harm and keep people safe, even when mistakes happen

Find out more about the Safe System approach in the UK's national road safety strategy.

The speed you choose affects whether you, your passengers and the people around you stay safe. Slowing down even a little can:

• Give you more time to see and react to hazards
• Reduce serious injury in the event of a collision

Being a safe driver or rider is about knowing when to slow down and when to make safe choices.  

Driving or riding at safe speeds helps protect everyone using the roads. It helps to make our community a safer place to live and travel. 

Speed limits show the maximum allowed speed. They are set for good driving conditions, but real roads are often more challenging.

Challenges when driving or riding

Conditions on the road

Conditions on and around the road mean drivers and riders may need to slow down to stay safe. For example:

• Weather, such as rain or fog
• Traffic levels
• Poor visibility
• Unexpected hazards
• Narrow lanes
• Other road users

Norfolk's roads range from quiet country lanes to busy town streets. Each brings different risks, even if you think you know the road well. 

Driving or riding to the environment and conditions, not just the speed limit is important for safer journeys. 

Other road users

At safer speeds, it's easier to judge distances, notice other road users ahead and calmly respond to changes in the road layout.  

Making calm decisions matters when driving and riding. It is even more important in busy places such as near:

• Schools
• Shops
• Residential streets
• Crossings 

This is where there is more movement and increased activity from different people choosing to walk, wheel, cycle, ride or drive.  

Roads signed at 30mph (miles per hour) or less support the many different ways people choose to travel. This is why slowing down and adjusting your speed to suit the environment is so important. 

Speed and stopping distances 

Your speed affects how quickly your vehicle can stop. The faster you're going, the more distance you need to stop, even with modern vehicle technology and good driving or riding skills. 

Higher speeds always mean longer stopping distances. 

A small change from 30mph to 35mph adds around 6.5 metres to your stopping distance. This is roughly the length of a large family car and a bicycle.

Choosing a slightly lower speed gives you more control and helps you to respond confidently and predictably to what's ahead. This choice is what makes you a good driver or rider. 

Go to the Brake website for more about typical stopping distances and a stopping distance calculator.

Speed cameras reduce speeding where there is a high risk of collision. This helps prevent collisions that cause the most harm to people. 

Studies show that cameras along with education can lead to fewer collisions:

• 55% average reduction in injury collisions per year following camera installation
• 44% reduction in fatal and serious collisions at targeted mobile camera sites

Speed camera locations

Norfolk Police use different types of speed enforcement cameras to help keep people safe on our roads:

• Fixed speed cameras are permanent at a roadside
• Mobile speed cameras are moved to different locations and used where there are road safety concerns
• Average speed cameras measure a vehicle's average speed between two or more camera locations

Camera locations are chosen using evidence, including:

• Speeding data
• Collision records
• Road safety risk

Where funding is available, the Road Safety Partnership prioritises locations where different speed cameras can have the greatest impact on improving compliance with speed limits.

The aim is to use speed camera enforcement where it can help reduce deaths and serious injuries.  

20mph zones

A 20mph (miles per hour) zone sets the maximum speed to 20mph. It also uses physical traffic calming features to help drivers and riders maintain a safe speed. 

Traffic calming features can include: 

• Speed humps or raised tables. Theses are raised sections of road that slow vehicles.
• Build‑outs, chicanes or narrowed lanes. These are road layouts that reduce width or add bends to slow traffic.
• Raised junctions or entry treatments. These are raised entrances that signal a slower‑speed area.

20mph zones have signs to indicate when you are entering and leaving a zone.

They are best on streets that do not have a high proportion of larger vehicles.

20mph limits  

A 20mph limit sets the maximum legal speed to 20mph on a road or group of roads.

These areas have 20mph signs with repeater signs along the street.

20mph limits suit residential streets, village roads, and urban areas. Lower speeds are more appropriate for these areas, but traffic calming features are not practicable. This could be because:

• The roads need to cater for larger vehicles and traffic calming features would make this difficult
• Traffic calming would cause discomfort to bus passengers
• Traffic calming would cause unwanted noise

Setting a speed limit

Speed limits across Norfolk are set by Norfolk County Council highways department. This is excluding the A47 and A11 which are the responsibility of National Highways.

When deciding an appropriate speed limit we must follow and consider:

• Legislation
• National guidance
• Road layout
• Junctions
• Collision history
• Roadside environment
• Street lighting

Changing a speed limit

To change the default national speed limit:

• There must be a clear need that aligns with our speed management strategy (PDF, 3 MB)
• We must create a Speed Regulation Order (SRO) 

Speed Regulation Orders (SRO)

SROs are part of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

An SRO: 

• Sets the maximum speed for a specific road
• Defines where the limit starts and ends
• Confirm who the limit applies to
• Makes the limit enforceable by law

There are different types of SRO: 

• Permanent SRO. These are for long term speed limits. 
• Temporary SRO. These are used for road works or for short term safety measures. For example during street works, including work by third parties such as gas, water and electricity companies.
• Experimental SRO. These are used on a trial basis. 

The process of creating an SRO involves:

• Following the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
• Consultation and public advertisement
• Sourcing funding. An SRO usually costs at least £10,000 and will depend on individual circumstances. 

 The timeline for this process varies. A typical SRO process takes around nine months, depending on the number and nature of objections. Temporary limits have a shorter process.

Other ways to influence safe speeds

Lowering speed limits without any other interventions is unlikely to achieve lower speeds.

Lasting improvements need a combination of measures that support and influence safe speeds. For example:

• Education
• Clear messaging
• Enforcement (where appropriate)

Contact your district or parish council if you feel a speed limit needs changing for a specific road.

We also recommend discussing your concerns with your local County Councillor (Local Member), who has been elected to represent your community. They can discuss community concerns with the local highways team, who will:

• Consider the practicalities of any speed limit changes. This is by reviewing national guidance and legal requirements.
• Provide advice and identify any potential funding sources available

Your district or parish council can then submit requests for us to review on behalf of the community. This is providing they can prove widespread community support. 

Changing a speed limit might not help all drivers travel at a safe speed. Those who disobey higher speed limits are unlikely to follow a lower speed limit.

Read our speeding complaints process for more about how we deal with speeding complaints.

Changing a speed limit

Changing a national speed limit requires a Speed Regulation Order (SRO).

More about the process of changing speed limits and SROs.

How we review requests to change a speed limit

Given the cost of speed limit changes, we need strong justification to process an SRO. Justifications include poor safety records as indicated by national statistics.

We don't currently have a budget for routine speed limit changes. We rely on external funding to deliver speed limit changes.

Tips to help you chose a safe speed

1. Good drivers and riders chose safe and legal speeds. 
2. Drive to the conditions, not just within the speed limit. Weather, traffic, visibility and other people travelling in different ways should all affect the speed you travel. 
3. Slow down in places where you may see people who walk, wheel or cycle. For example, near shops, schools, parks, community buildings, health services and busy junctions or crossings.  
4. Don't let pressure change your speed. Being late, someone following you too closely or encouragement from passengers are never good reasons to speed. 
5. Use in‑vehicle or on‑bike technology such as speed limiters or Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) to help you choose and manage your speed safely. This tool must not replace your judgement. 
6. Stay focused. Physical and thought distractions could cause you to miss speed signs or reduce the time you need to see and respond to hazards safely. 
7. Know the speed limits for your vehicle. Some vehicles, trailers, and caravans have lower speed limits. Refer to the speed limits guidance on the GOV.UK website.
8. Slow down, even when the road feels quiet. Driving at a safe and legal speed gives you more time to react. This is more important at night, when visibility is reduced,  you may be tired or impacted by headlight glare. 
9. Read the road. Signs, junctions, lighting, and nearby activity will all help you judge a safe speed, not just the legal speed limit signs. 
10. Using 3rd gear in 30mph (miles per hour) limits will help you maintain a safe and steady speed

Online quizzes and learning resources

• Take our interactive Speed Choice quiz
• Take the free road signs quiz on the Safe Driving for Life website
• Find information, videos and fact sheets about safe speeds on the Brake website
• Find teaching resources about speed and road safety on the Brake website

Norfolk Constabulary's safety camera team

• Deliver speed enforcement across the county
• Lead Norfolk's community speed watch. Join a community speed watch group.
• Lead on the 'safe speed' part of the road safety partnership's safe system framework

Our highways team

• Are responsible for Norfolk's speed management strategy (PDF, 3 MB)
• Deliver traffic calming measures when funding is available
• Set safe and appropriate speed limits. Learn how speed limits are set.
• Implement traffic regulation orders so that speed limits are enforceable
• With the road safety partnership's support, arranges the placement of: 
  • Speed awareness monitors (SAM2) community speed devices
  • Enforcement speed cameras

Our public health road safety team

• Use research and evidence to target road safety education
• Promote safe behaviours and improve knowledge to encourage people to make safe and informed choices
• Deliver speed awareness course on behalf of Norfolk Constabulary under the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS)