Controlling your speed

Below are some tips on how to control your speed.

• Do not treat speed limits as a target. Often it is not appropriate or safe to drive at the maximum speed limit.
• Check your speedometer regularly. It only takes a fraction of a second and should be as automatic as checking your mirrors.
• Always drive safely within the legal speed limit and at a speed suitable to the conditions. You should always reduce your speed when:
• the road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends
• sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, particularly children, and motorcyclists
• weather conditions make it safer to do so
• driving at night, as it’s harder to see other road users.
• Select a lower gear before you reach a long downhill slope - this will help to control your speed.
• Keep your distance. Count two seconds between you and the car in front and leave even more space/time in wet conditions.
• As you see a lower limit approaching, begin to reduce your speed.
• Take care when overtaking and stay within the speed limit.
• Make sure you know your speed limits.
• Be alert to all the signs - they are there to help you.