Variable Speed Limits Act 2017 1

MODEL
HOUSEOFCOMMONS

BILL 507

BILL
TO

Make speed limits in the United Kingdom variable and responsive to road and traffic
conditions around them.

B E IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of
the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled,
and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1 Variable speed limit legislation

(1) Standard consistent speed limits as per the old system will remain in force in areas
that are not given smart speed limits by this legislation.
(2) Speed limits will be removed on motorways, dual carriageways and long straight A-
roads where fast driving can be safely achieved. In periods of high usage, variable
speed limits between 50mph and 130mph will be introduced to maintain steady
traffic flow and reduce collisions.
(3) All motorways that currently have a hard shoulder will be converted to smart
motorways where the hard shoulder can be driven in when it's not being used to
aid traffic flow by the end of 2019.
(4) In city-centre areas where 20mph and 10mph limits apply due to the presence of
schools or other buildings containing vulnerable persons, these limits will now only
apply when that facility is open, with the standard limit for the area (usually 30 as
built up) applying at all other times.
(5) Villages will no longer be classified as built-up areas if an A-road/dual carriageway
and motorway runs through them and a speed consistent with the rest of the road
will apply to the area. Villages may apply for a 70mph limit directly to the transport
2 Variable Speed Limits Act 2017

secretary if they can prove danger from fast-moving traffic.

2 Punishment for exceeding speed limits

(1) 10 percent leniency will be abolished in light of these changes.
(2) The sentence for speeding will be 6 months in jail and a 3-year driving
disqualification.

3 Commencement, extent and short title

(1) This Act may be known as the Variable Speed Limits Act 2017.
(2) This Act applies to the United Kingdom.
(3) This Act comes into force immediately after receiving Royal Assent.