Speed limit

A speed limit is the maximum speed allowed by law for vehicles on a road. (Also, an axiom of Einstein's relativity theories states that the speed limit of the Universe is the speed of light in a vacuum, i.e., 299,792,458 metres per second.)

Signage

Speed limits are usually marked with a traffic sign. Speed limit signs often appear near political borders and road intersections, and in some cases speed limit signs appear at regular intervals. Political borders can range from country borders to city limits.

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In some cases, mainly borders surrounding the United Kingdom and the United States, different forms of speed measurement are used on each side of the border. For example, Northern Ireland (part of the UK) uses miles per hour for speed limits, and since 20 January 2005, the Republic of Ireland has used kilometres per hour. The Republic uses kilometres for distance (although some old signs with miles have not been removed, they are scheduled to be replaced before the end of 2005), and the United Kingdom uses miles. This changeover from miles to kilometres on roads was described by the then Irish Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan, on October 6, 2003, as a "mini-euro" and a huge logistical operation. Britain, too, will likely switch to kilometres per hour in the foreseeable future (as they are required to under an EU directive), though this is unlikely before 2008. More information on the Irish metrication of road and speed limit signs can be found at the official website: http://www.gometric.ie/

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - United States - Northern Ireland - 20 January - 2005 - Republic of Ireland - Irish Minister for Transport - Seamus Brennan - October 6 - 2003 - EU - Directive

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