The recent surge in speeding tickets on the Norwich NDR has sparked a debate about the 40mph speed limit imposed on this section of the dual carriageway. The author, Peter Franzen, draws a parallel between the absurdity of Mr. Bumble's frustration in Charles Dickens' novel and the current situation, where the rationale for the reduced speed limit is unclear. Franzen questions the lack of transparency and the potential impact on road safety, suggesting that the speed limit should be reviewed and potentially adjusted.
One of the key points Franzen makes is the unusual nature of the roundabout before the Postwick junction, which has a single-carriageway slip road marked with 40mph signs. He argues that this can easily lead drivers to believe they can travel at 70mph once they rejoin the dual road, despite the absence of any apparent safety risks on this short stretch. Franzen's personal interpretation is that the speed limit is more about generating revenue than ensuring safety, and he speculates that the lack of clear justification for the limit may be a result of legal and financial constraints faced by the police.
The article also highlights the contrast between the NDR speed limit and the 20mph limit in the author's village, where the speed limit is routinely ignored due to the lack of enforcement. Franzen suggests that the police's hands are tied by legal and financial constraints, and he speculates that the speed limit on the NDR may be a result of a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to road safety. He concludes by calling for a re-evaluation of the speed limit and a more nuanced approach to road safety enforcement, taking into account the specific characteristics of each road and the potential risks involved.
