Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

84 Speed limits on roads other than restricted roads. E+W+S

[F1 ( 1 ) An order made under this subsection as respects any road may prohibit—

(a) the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding that specified in the order,

(b) the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding that specified in the order during periods specified in the order, or

(c) the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding the speed for the time being indicated by traffic signs in accordance with the order.

( 1A ) An order made by virtue of subsection (1)(c) above may—

(a) make provision restricting the speeds that may be indicated by traffic signs or the periods during which the indications may be given, and

(b) provide for the indications to be given only in such circumstances as may be determined by or under the order;

but any such order must comply with regulations made under subsection (1B) below, except where the [F2 national authority] authorises otherwise in a particular case.

(1B) The [F3 national authority] may make regulations governing the provision which may be made by orders of [F4 strategic highways companies or] local authorities under subsection (1)(c) above, and any such regulations may in particular—

(a) prescribe the circumstances in which speed limits may have effect by virtue of an order,

( b ) prescribe the speed limits which may be specified in an order, and

(c) make transitional provision and different provision for different cases.]

F5 [( 2 ) The power to make an order under subsection (1) is exercisable by the traffic authority, who shall before exercising it in any case give public notice of their intention to do so.]

(3) While an order [F6 made by virtue of subsection (1)(a)] above is in force as respects a road, that road shall not be a restricted road for the purposes of section 81 of this Act.

(4) This section does not apply to any part of a special road which is open for use as a special road.

(5) Section 68(1)(c) of this Act shall apply to any order made under subsection (1) above.

F7 [( 6 ) Any reference in a local Act to roads subject to a speed limit shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be treated as not including a reference to roads subject to a speed limit imposed only by virtue of subsection (1)(b) or (c) above.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 84(1)(1A)(1B) substituted (1.7.1992) for s. 84(1) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 45(2); S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

F2 Words in s. 84(1A) substituted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 42(9), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))

F3 Words in s. 84(1B) substituted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 42(9), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))

F4 Words in s. 84(1B) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 88; S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)

F5 S. 84(2) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 61(2); which substitution is in force for Scotland only by S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch.2 and for England and Wales only by S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3,Sch.

F6 Words in s. 84(3) substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 45(3); S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

F7 S. 84(6) added (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 45(4); S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Ss. 83(2), 84 restricted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 2, 8(2), Sch. 5 para. 6(3)

C2 Ss. 83(2), 84 restricted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8(2), Sch. 5 para. 12

C3 S. 84 restricted (4.1.1995) by S.I. 1994 c. 39, ss. 7(2), 44(2); S.I. 1994/2850, art 3(a), Sch. 2

C4 S. 84: power to make orders extended (S.) (1.4.2002) by The Forth Estuary Transport Authority Order 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/178), art. 9

C5 S. 84(1)(1A)(1B)(b): transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 2, Sch. 1, S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3