Speed management


Introducing measures to encourage motorists to follow speed limits on the roads in Suffolk. 

Suffolk County Council can introduce measures to try to encourage motorists to drive within the speed limit. We can only fund this type of work where it can be justified in terms of accident reduction.

Suffolk County Council receives requests to introduce measures to reduce speeds, in areas where it is perceived there is a speeding problem.

Before any works are undertaken a survey is carried out to assess the existing speeds. The existing signing and road markings are checked to ensure they meet the current standards. The personal injury accident record for a location is also checked to see whether funding can be made available to carry out works.

Speed management measures may include:

  • carriageway speed limit roundels (cannot be placed in areas with street lighting)
  • entry treatments /gateways
  • general signing and road markings
  • priority systems
  • road narrowings  
  • rumble strips (these should not be used within a 300 metre radius of a property, because of noise pollution)
  • vehicular actuated signs (VAS)

All of the above may have some success in reducing speed, however, all of these measures can have negative effects on the environment in terms of the visual appearance and noise pollution. In addition electronic signs are very expensive and have on-going maintenance costs attached.

To report a problem with speed management measures please click on the link under Online Services below or contact our Customer Service Centre.