[Closed] Got a speeding ticket!

Puts kettle on opens biscuits and anticipates avalanche of condemnation 😆

Usually £60, the points and a stw ritual Internet flogging.

The emotional scars of the last item being far more damaging to your psyche than the fine and points.

I would like to make it clear that I thought I was sticking to the limit, and I did not in fact WANT to speed. I will not be complaining about the concept of speeding or the fact that limits are too low... I'd have gladly gone 30 if I'd known it was a 30!

Pretty pissed off about the points though. Seems I'm the only person on the road who actually sticks to the limits 🙁

Moral of the story - if you're in Liverpool, do 30 anyway because most of those DCs are 30 and have hardly any signs, as I noticed during the rest of the weekend.

I'm not angry.

Just disappointed.

Anyway. If it's a first offence, and you have not been on one before, might mean a speed awareness course for £90ish is offered.

I'd have gladly gone 30 if I'd known it was a 30!

But I'm guessing you thought it was 'safe' to being going 40? i.e. it's not that you drive constantly and unthinkingly at the speed limit but this road 'looked' like a road your should be fine at 40 both legally and in terms of safety to others?

That's the bit that does annoy me - the inconsistency of the speed limits. I'm happy enough just to go along with the rules I guess, but it is easier when they make sense!

[i]Seems I'm the only person on the road who actually sticks to the limits[/i]

It's just due care and attention that you fail on 😉

@molgrips - normal thing is to do the "naughty drivers course" = £80 I think and no points (assuming you don't spend all day arguing and get failed)

Seems daft to go to the expense of running a camera if you're not going to tell people what the limit is. You'll end up catching people rather than slowing them down, what good does that do?

Everyone gets caught in the end, even those who "don't speed", it was just your turn. I wouldn't fight it on the basis of lack of signs, but definitely point it out to your MP, or Chuck Norris, or someone. If they want people to obey the limit, first step is making sure people know what that is.

I can only do the course if I get offered, no?

I did think it was safe to do 40 yes. Surprised it was 30, obviously.

However I understand that there's more to it than simply if I think it's safe. I'm guessing they made the limit 30 for a reason of which I'm not aware.

@molgrips - normal thing is to do the "naughty drivers course" = £80 I think and no points (assuming you don't spend all day arguing and get failed)

I did this and I'm pretty sure it's impossible to fail. I base this on the evidence of my course where one rather aged and dishevelled individual spent at least half the time asleep on the back table. I say at least half the time as I could hear his snoring for about four hours. Didn't have the heart to wake him up 😉

£60 for pleading guilty isn't it?

£100 minimum now

Dual carriageways, where the oncoming lanes are divided with a barrier (of any sort) would be 70mph. If there's no divider, then one has to assume that the limit is 30mph as it is classed as single carriageway.

If there is no clear signage, you must assume that the limit is the national limit for that type of road, 30mph in your case. If the road was in fact a dual carriageway (with divider) then you may well have grounds to contest the ticket.

Seems I'm the only person on the road who actually sticks to the limits

Said the guy who's (maybe) just been done for speeding 🙂

molgrips - Member

I would like to make it clear that I thought I was sticking to the limit, and I did not in fact WANT to speed. I will not be complaining about the concept of speeding or the fact that limits are too low... I'd have gladly gone 30 if I'd known it was a 30!

Only time I've been caught, it was the same. Sat watching the speed camera van thingy, at 60. Got caught for 61 in a 50 zone.

Seems I'm the only person on the road who actually sticks to the limits

Clearly not!

@molgrips - normal thing is to do the "naughty drivers course" = £80 I think and no points (assuming you don't spend all day arguing and get failed)

This - as long as you've not been caught in the last few years prior to this time. If you do get offered the course, then it's worth doing for more than just a 'keep points of your licence' thing.

Molgrips to help in future no matter what the road 'looks' like if its urban and has streetlights its 30 unless otherwise signposted (I only found this out when my wife did the above mentioned speed awareness course)

Seems daft to go to the expense of running a camera if you're not going to tell people what the limit is. You'll end up catching people rather than slowing them down, what good does that do?

if you're in Liverpool, do 30 anyway because most of those DCs are 30 and have hardly any signs, as I noticed during the rest of the weekend.

No signs + in an urban area* = 30 limit.

*street lights and houses

If there's no signs, assume it's 30, especially with street lighting.
Can't remember the exact rules, but I think if it's anything other than 30 (or NSL) then there will be speed limit repeaters spaced at 20s intervals.

But, yeah, bit of an arse when you didn't mean to be speeding. Similar thing happened to me in Bala on the way to a mate's wedding. Loads of delays, running massively late and came into Bala a bit too quick.
I took the speed awareness course option, which I thought was going to be a massive pain, but there was plenty of choice of times/dates and I even managed to do an evening one so didn't take time off work.

It would be annoying to have to do the course too, being that I'm constantly arguing in favour of speed limits anyway.. but it'd be worth it to save on insurance premiums.

124 Edge Lane Drive, Liverpool, Westbound. I can't find any repeaters on Streetview. And yes I know about the street light spacing rules, but seems harsh to signpost a 40, then put ONE sign up for 30 and then leave it at that, since if you miss one sign you then have to start noticing the absence of repeaters. Especially as the camera's not far after the transition to 30.

If you couldn't see the signs, how would you see a childs face other than stuck to your windscreen.....

😉

30 zones don't have/need repeaters, from [url= http://www.speedlimit.org.uk/speed_markings.html ]http://www.speedlimit.org.uk/speed_markings.html[/url]

Any road with regular street lighting has a default speed limit of 30 mph unless signs indicate otherwise. The entry to a 30 mph zone must be marked by a "30" sign on both sides of the road, but no repeater signs are permitted within the zone (on the grounds that they might be confusing if some roads had them and others didn't).

EDIT: didn't see that you'd edited your post to include this info anyway!

Never mind all that,did you get the Strava segment?

What chvck says. The national speed limit in the Uk is 30mph unless otherwise stated, if you are unsure of the speed limit you should assume its 30. The presence of street lighting is what defines a 30mph zone, unless there are repeater signs overruling this. Motorways have their own set of rules.

molgrips - Member

I would like to make it clear that I thought I was sticking to the limit, and I did not in fact WANT to speed.

Because "driving without due care and attention" sounds much better than speeding 😉

The speed limit is at 128 broad green rd, so you only get 0.2 of a mile between the limit and the camera anyway.

The presence of street lighting is what defines a 30mph zone

Sure about that? I think they have to be not more than 183m apart.

but it'd be worth it to save on insurance premiums

Not sure about that! looking around for insurance renewal lately and been asked that question. However, since I haven't been on a course I've no idea whether it would increase or not

Surely your fast twitch muscle must be a mitigating factor?

Built for speed.

[i]you only get 0.2 of a mile between the limit and the camera anyway.[/i]

surely 300 yards is long enough to see and process the sign and react accordingly?

The 30 sign is the start of the limit anyway - they could put the camera 30 yards past it - not the beginning of a braking zone.

surely 300 yards is long enough to see and process the sign and react accordingly?

It is, yes. My fault for missing the sign. Just not much margin for error in that particular spot!

go on, take it to court.

I can't wait for that epic thread...

[devils advocate]

I think I prefer sharing the roads with people who see what's going on at the side of the road and choose to ignore it than those who drive along in a visual tunnel believing they're doing the right thing...

[/devils advocate]

@Alex - a friend was at a course where they failed a guy who complained all morning and they told him not to come back in the afternoon. The course tutor even told him just to stay quiet and he'd get a pass !

Worst speed camera abuse I head was on Lower Thames Street in London where the 20mph camera was before the 20mph sign and therefore in a 30mph area. It was an observant cabbie (who got a ticket) who noticed. Also saw a classic speed camera crash last weekend on the A3, massive rear end shunt right at the camera where clearly the guy in front had slammed his brakes on when the saw the camera.

Hmm.. I must be a terrible driver.

Was it Edge Lane ? the continuation (4-5 miles of it) of the M62 ?

Yes.

If you are unsure, look down side roads.

If there aren't any 30mph signs on entering them, you are in a 30mph zone.

Hmm.. I must be a terrible driver.

you sound like most of the people on the course I went on. they all thought it was someone else fault they got caught.

Molgrips, I sympathise, it can be difficult to judge what the speed limit is 100% of the time.

Check and double check that they have all of your details correct on the ticket (name, address, car details etc), any error and you might be able to wriggle off.

[devils advocate]

I think I prefer sharing the roads with people who see what's going on at the side of the road and choose to ignore it than those who drive along in a visual tunnel believing they're doing the right thing...

[/devils advocate]

Or, just goes to show that when driving on public roads there is just too much information for humans (who are normally thinking of about ten different things at once) to process adequately. And the sooner Google gets it act together and we all have self driving cars the better.

No repeater signs in a 30 mols, the sreetlights are the constant reminder 🙁

If there aren't any 30mph signs on entering them, you are in a 30mph zone.

Good tip!

you sound like most of the people on the course I went on. they all thought it was someone else fault they got caught.

Only if you ignore where I said this:

My fault for missing the sign

No repeater signs in a 30 mols, the sreetlights are the constant reminder

Yeah, but only if they are close enough together and I only spotted how close they were when it was too late. The thing is you do get streetlights in 40s, and you do get 30 repeater signs when the lights aren't close enough together...

[quote=molgrips ]It would be annoying to have to do the course too, being that I'm constantly arguing in favour of speed limits anyway.. but it'd be worth it to save on insurance premiums.

3 speeding points makes no difference to my insurance premiums (I've checked doing a quote with and without). I'd have thought you were also old enough and boring enough for that to be the case.

On which point can I be the first to suggest not doing the course. Unless that is you have so much holiday you don't know what to do with and wouldn't rather use a day's leave to go biking. Work out how much a day's unpaid leave would cost you and decide if it's really good value.

I do agree with the whole issue about not having repeater signs in a 30 limit. Fair enough most of the time - we don't really need to have repeaters posted on every residential road - however on larger roads and particularly DCs what harm would it do to have some? Yes you should know from the lamppost spacing, but the problem is you're looking for the absence of repeater signs for a higher limit if you were in a higher limit and missed the sign at the change (which isn't that difficult with a lot of clutter and I'd argue far more important things to be concentrating on in an urban area). I'd certainly argue that they should put a speed limit sign just before any camera - the only reason not to do so is to catch people out who aren't deliberately speeding.

One of the few arguments for sat nav, the alerting on zone changes. Although if there are street lights I assume it's 30 till I see a sign to the contrary (should be a matter of seconds)

I say do the course. It is a bit of a PITA, but there are a number of useful tips and strategies you might learn. Which not only keep you out of trouble in the future, but also remind you why it is important to be a considerate driver. and it is a bit cheaper

however on larger roads and particularly DCs what harm would it do to have some?

The internet suggests it's to avoid confusion, but that sounds ridiculous. In what way would a little round sign saying 30 be confusing? That we're already trained to watch out for?

One of the few arguments for sat nav, the alerting on zone changes

Lots of arguments FOR satnav of course.. funnily enough I was using a satnav, and it did bling at me, but I didn't realise the bling was the speed limit alert noise since I don't use it very often, and I don't speed very often!

I was very late for an event sign on, and in a desperate hurry, but I still stuck to what I thought the limit was 🙂

remind you why it is important to be a considerate driver

Lolz 🙂

Isn't there someone on STW who continually reminds us there is no excuse for speeding, including the old "if I knew what the speed limit was I would have not been speeding". 😉

I think he got a ban

Like has been said, street lights always treat it as a 30 unless you defiantly see other signs be it 20, 40 etc.

Only 30 mph doesn't have to be signed when there are street lights spaced correctly, 20 mph HAS to have repeaters no matter what along with 40 and upwards.

20 zones are different as they get treated as " self managed " by use of speed bumps.

Good tip off Neal regarding looking into side roads to their limits.

It also works the other way with repeater signs, there is a 40 mph zone near me where all the repeaters have been nicked and if you miss the single 40 sign, you can go for 3/4 mile before seeing another 40 sign.

Not a massive problem but the students who go out on test will fail for going too slow if they miss it.

Isn't there someone on STW who continually reminds us there is no excuse for speeding

There isn't, I'm not making excuses, it was my fault for not seeing the sign 🙂

I know that road, there is a lot of roads like like that in Liverpool and up to Southport/Ormskirk.

Dual carriageways with breaks in and cars parked on the verges/hardstandings or on the left lane. Some seem to be 40mph, most used to be, but a lot are now 30mph and the limits dont seem to make much sense in that some 40's should be 30's.

Some of the limit signs are hard to spot too when you are busy watching out for irate locals doing 50+ behind you in blacked out BMWs or 4x4s or taxis pulling away without indicating etc etc.

I just tend to stick to 30 when it doubt (urban area with street lights) and just plod along unless I know it's definitely 40.

If you are unsure, look down side roads.

If there aren't any 30mph signs on entering them, you are in a 30mph zone.

never knew that the no signs meant 30 either though I always default to that anyway

OP what if a small child had been crossing this road late at night from the local council estate to fetch his mum some more Cigs?

You'd have cut the boy in two at 40mph. At 30mph you might have just badly maimed him

A road my mother lives on and has driven for over 40 years was a 40. They took all the 40 signs off the posts and at the beginning of the road, a new sign with a 30 mph approx 6 inches round, as the only telling point in a sign with enough wordage to take 5 mins to read. She got caught 2 days after it was changed. If they want it to make you do 30, they would have more visible signage at times. One dual carriageway in Reading was a notorius place, which camera vans parked in coned off areas ( one rule for us etc). Was in national press for its money making ways. All it needed was the signage to be visible from the overgrown bushes that grew in front of it to advise drivers. Regardless of bloody lampost measurements.

Edge lane LOL... I love it.. I got that in about 1995 "we've recently changed from 40-30"... in their defence... they had.... hoever that was 1995 !

Was it by the fuel station just where you have the separator section ? I think it used to be a Texaco...

I didn't know that no signs meant 30mph

I see statements like this a scary number of times on threads about driving. Can people please go and have a look at [url= https://www.gov.uk/highway-code ]the Highway Code[/url], please?

The facts that red and amber lights on traffic lights means 'stop' seems to have passed most drivers round here by.

TOP TIP
never knew that the no signs meant 30 either though I always default to that anyway

Most people learn this from a speed awareness course to be fair 🙂

It's in the Highway Code but I've not met anyone who's read it post passing their test. I'm surprised it hasn't been added as a requirement by my companies responsible care department though, had to do a half day eco driving course the other week.. which involved driving around when I'd normally have been sat at a desk. They didn't see the irony.

The national speed limit in the Uk is 30mph unless otherwise stated, if you are unsure of the speed limit you should assume its 30. The presence of street lighting is what defines a 30mph zone, unless there are repeater signs overruling this. Motorways have their own set of rules.

I consider myself to have a reasonably good understanding of the rules of the road, but this one still eludes me, even after it is explained.

I assume this includes where you see a national speed limit sign? (this could be where I'm getting it wrong?) And is it only in urban areas? If so how do you define an urban area? And If not, it is almost certainly not enforced, or even understood by those that should be enforcing it.

It would be annoying to have to do the course too, being that I'm constantly arguing in favour of speed limits anyway.

Will vary on who you get leading the course I suppose, but the one I did was good. Picked up some decent safety tips. It's not all about speed. And there's no "you've been a very naughty boy", or anything like that. Not like the patronising letter I got from the Police...

@jambalaya - fair enough. Maybe being gobby and abusive is a fail, a light nap still counts as a pass. I went to the speed awareness course with a pretty cynical attitude but came away having learned quite a lot. More than I expected.

Some of the data they use is a bit questionable but fair play to the presenters who do this day after day and somehow maintain an air of cheerfulness!

I consider myself to have a reasonably good understanding of the rules of the road, but this one still eludes me, even after it is explained.

That's because it is incorrect.

molgrips - Member

It is, yes. My fault for missing the sign. Just not much margin for error in that particular spot!

Point of order; there is never one sign, there are always two, one on either side of the road, and in your case molgrips there are also massive 30 limit signs painted on each lane, so it begs the question: where exactly were you looking?

Number one cause of accidents; inattention.

Most people learn this from a speed awareness course to be fair

I did a "speed awareness" course as part of my Job, rather than after getting caught speeding.

I would recommend it to anyone really.

I learned a lot and I am a better driver because of it I reckon.

The problem with signs painted on the road is that traffic covers them up.

I was looking where I was going, and at the road, don't worry. However even when looking, you don't always see.

Can you honestly say, hand on heart, you've never missed a single thing ever whilst driving? I have on many occasions.

This is part of my annoyance with this - we all miss stuff, so Liverpool council really ought to put up more than one pair of signs...

[quote=sbob ]

I consider myself to have a reasonably good understanding of the rules of the road, but this one still eludes me, even after it is explained.

Which bit? The street lights defining the 30 limit, the need to have repeaters to overrule that, or different rules for motorways?

so it begs the question: where exactly were you looking?
Number one cause of accidents; inattention.

Maybe he was paying attention to avoiding the other things around which he might hit, rather than some nominal rule which doesn't have a direct effect on his safety (working on the assumption it's a road which could easily be a 40 limit). Personally I'd far rather other drivers noticed people and other cars than every single sign lost amongst the clutter.

Can't believe I find myself defending molgrips' driving!

aracer - Member

On which point can I be the first to suggest not doing the course. Unless that is you have so much holiday you don't know what to do with and wouldn't rather use a day's leave to go biking. Work out how much a day's unpaid leave would cost you and decide if it's really good value.

I chose to do the course and there were loads of places to do the course and also loads of time slots.
You used to have to do the course in the area where you got the fine, but now you can do it anywhere.
I got done in North Wales, but did the course in Peterborough; there was a 6pm start time, so I didn't have to take holiday. It worked out OK.
They were quite condescending on the course, but overall it was pretty good.
It was actually quite an eye opener how many people genuinely didn't have a clue about road signs/highway code etc. I thought I was pretty rusty, but compared to most of the other people there, I could have done the Highway Code as my Mastermind specialist subject.
First of all, I thought I was being a bit swotty, answering the questions but then realised that most people there just didn't know the answer.
There was a woman in her 50's there who apparently was doing 38 in a 30 and didn't really see the problem with it. The trainer was surprised she got offered the course, being that far over the limit. She was a teacher and drove kids around in the school minibus, but got all the speed limits wrong for that type of vehicle.....

Which bit?

That the national speed limit is 30.

Can't believe I find myself defending molgrips' driving!

someone has to, as after all the sanctimony he's come out with in the past he's in no position to defend himself! 😆

aracer - Member

Maybe he was paying attention to avoiding the other things around which he might hit, rather than some nominal rule which doesn't have a direct effect on his safety (working on the assumption it's a road which could easily be a 40 limit). Personally I'd far rather other drivers noticed people and other cars than every single sign lost amongst the clutter.

This +1.

On the way into Peterborough there is a dual carriageway with a number of speed limit changes - varying from NSL to 40. The main signs for the speed limit changes are on the exit of the roundabouts.
Now, personally I am generally looking at more important things while negotiating a roundabout.
Sure, there are repeater signs and I know the limits along that stretch so don't tend to look at them (could catch me out if they change them), but why not put the change of speed limit 100m before the roundabout, or 100m after? They are positioned at the most innappropriate place possible on the entire stretch of road all the way along.

[quote=sbob ]That the national speed limit is 30.

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

It's because I'm now 'one of you' 🙂

I think the setting of the signs make a difference. Lots of background close to the signs makign them harder to spot, and it was at night with lots of street lighting (hah yes I know) so colours were a bit messed up.

Thinking of a DC limit near me, I've always thought the signs easy to spot, but they stand away from anything else which I think really helps.

[quote=stumpy01 ]The main signs for the speed limit changes are on the exit of the roundabouts.
Now, personally I am generally looking at more important things while negotiating a roundabout.
Sure, there are repeater signs and I know the limits along that stretch so don't tend to look at them (could catch me out if they change them), but why not put the change of speed limit 100m before the roundabout, or 100m after? They are positioned at the most innappropriate place possible on the entire stretch of road all the way along.

This +100. There's one near me which changes from a 70 to a 40 on the approach to a roundabout. I knew it was 40 after the roundabout, but it took me ages to work out where the speed limit signs were, because when I'm slowing for a roundabout I find I have other things to concentrate on.

someone has to, as after all the sanctimony he's come out with in the past he's in no position to defend himself!

Well I still think speed limits are a good thing, we should stick to them, and that people need to look out for the signs.

However I just wish the signs were more noticeable in this case. What's wrong with those big high viz ones covered in warnings? Can we apply for better signage?

molgrips - Member
The problem with signs painted on the road is that traffic covers them up.

Sounds like you need to increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front.

I was looking where I was going, and at the road, don't worry. However even when looking, you don't always see.

Sounds like you need to review your observation skills.

Can you honestly say, hand on heart, you've never missed a single thing ever whilst driving? I have on many occasions.

Impossible to say if I have not seen something as I would not have seen it, but I can honestly say that I've never had a speeding ticket.

This is part of my annoyance with this - we all miss stuff, so Liverpool council really ought to put up more than one pair of signs...

Liverpool council have not singled you out molgrips, the rules for signage of speed limits are the same for everyone the whole country over (with the odd exception like the New Forest).

I'd simply take this as a wake up call that maybe your driving isn't quite as good as you think it is.

Or that if you're going to be all holier than thou on driving threads that you will have to suck up people like me taking the piss when you do get it wrong.

FTW get a new set of plates made up with one digit incorrect, it'll save any future embarrassing forum threads 🙂

One of my motorbikes failed its first MOT in April because the number plate was not recognised on the system (something like that)
3 years with the wrong plate 🙂

Sounds like you need to review your observation skills.

Don't we all?

Impossible to say if I have not seen something as I would not have seen it, but I can honestly say that I've never had a speeding ticket.

Exactly. Up until last week, I'd never had one either. You could be next 🙂

Liverpool council have not singled you out molgrips, the rules for signage of speed limits are the same for everyone the whole country over

Of course - however the minimum is exceeded in many areas all over the country, this is a situation that would benefit from that approach.

people like me taking the piss

If this is piss taking it needs to be funnier and more flippant - otherwise it just looks like lecturing! 🙂

Or that if you're going to be all holier than thou on driving threads

My issue is with people thinking they don't need to stick to speed limits. This isn't me.

aracer - Member

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

I actually had that page open in a tab already.
It is incorrect.
If there are no signs then the speed limit is never 30.
30mph roads are always signed on entry, have repeaters or regular street lighting in place of repeaters, or in special cases have signage painted on the road surface.

If none of those signs are present, then for a car on a single carriageway road, the national speed limit is 60, though this varies for different vehicles, of course.

[quote=stumpy01 ]there was a 6pm start time, so I didn't have to take holiday.

That's unusual, or maybe new - when I got offered one it was just day time. Given the normal length of these courses wouldn't that finish rather late though (you'd have to put your foot down to get home in time for tea)?

It was actually quite an eye opener how many people genuinely didn't have a clue about road signs/highway code etc. I thought I was pretty rusty, but compared to most of the other people there, I could have done the Highway Code as my Mastermind specialist subject.

Which is the other reason I'd wonder about the benefit (and I'd imagine molgrips to have similar if not better HC knowledge than you and me). I might not have re-read the whole thing, but https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code is bookmarked for use in arguments on here! I'm also unsure of the point of being lectured about the importance of 30 limits when I stick religiously to those (last done for 57 in a 50 on a road which used to be NSL DC and no safety issues at the point I got caught - I slow down for the bit where there are safety issues - so my offence is choosing to ignore pointless speed limits).

thread needs more cutting and pasting IMHO

Junkyard - lazarus

thread needs more cutting and pasting IMHO

Definitely.

Were you overtaking at the time?

[quote=sbob ]aracer - Member
> https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits
br />
I actually had that page open in a tab already.
It is incorrect.
If there are no signs then the speed limit is never 30.

You're suggesting the government web page is incorrect? 😯

So I leave my house and drive down the road. I don't pass a sign. Does that mean the speed limit isn't 30?

I think you're getting confused because NSL is usually used as an abbreviation for "NSL outside built up areas".

30mph roads are always signed on entry

So are 60 limits.

so my offence is choosing to ignore pointless speed limits

And I don't even do that 🙂

So I leave my house and drive down the road. I don't pass a sign. Does that mean the speed limit isn't 30?

The street light spacing should define it as 30....

[quote=Junkyard ]thread needs more cutting

I'm trying my best

and pasting

doing that too

IMHO

Well you would think that

just going back to Butchers post...

The national speed limit in the Uk is 30mph unless otherwise stated, if you are unsure of the speed limit you should assume its 30. The presence of street lighting is what defines a 30mph zone, unless there are repeater signs overruling this. Motorways have their own set of rules.

I consider myself to have a reasonably good understanding of the rules of the road, but this one still eludes me, even after it is explained.

I assume this includes where you see a national speed limit sign? (this could be where I'm getting it wrong?) And is it only in urban areas? If so how do you define an urban area? And If not, it is almost certainly not enforced, or even understood by those that should be enforcing it.

The meaning of the National Speed Limit sign is defined in the Highway Code and it is different depending on what vehicle you are driving.

You should not be recognising urban and rural settings in determining the speed limit at all. Maybe this is where you are going wrong?