Speed limits and safe following distance

Maximum speed is set by three factors: inside or outside a built-up area, road type (dual carriageway with a central divider, or two-way road) and vehicle type.

General principles

• Limits inside built-up areas are lower than outside them.
• Dual carriageways and one-way roads with two or more lanes allow higher speeds than a two-way road without a central divider.
• Lorries, large buses and vehicles towing trailers have lower limits than cars.
• Expressways always post a maximum and a minimum speed per lane.

Following distance

The minimum gap to the vehicle ahead grows with speed. In rain, fog, on a slippery surface or with limited visibility you must keep more than the minimum.

Practical tip: pick a fixed roadside marker and count from when the vehicle ahead passes it — in dry conditions you should pass at least 2 seconds later; in rain, 4 seconds.

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