SPEED LIMITS

In addition to setting an explicit maximum speed limit, most governments also enforce speed limits that are related to driving conditions; for example, requiring drivers to adjust their speed when driving in fog or heavy rain. Some roads also have "minimum speed limits", where slow speeds are considered to impede traffic flow or be dangerous.

The first speed limit was the 10mph (16.1km/h) limit introduced by the Locomotive Act of 1861 (or "Red Flag Act") in the United Kingdom (automobiles were in those days termed “light locomotives”). In 1865, the revised Locomotive Act reduced the speed limit to 4 mph (6 km/h) in the country and 2 mph (3 km/h) in towns. The 1865 Act required a man with a red flag or lantern to walk 60 yards (50 m) ahead of each vehicle, enforce a walking pace, and warn horse riders and horse drawn traffic of the approach of a self-propelled machine. The replacement of the "Red Flag Act" by the Locomotive Act of 1896, and the increase of the speed limit to 14 mph (23 km/h) has been commemorated each year since 1927 by the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

Most public roads in most places are legally assigned a default maximum speed limit. The relevance of default speed limits to road users varies; in some places, authorities always post a sign stating the maximum speed limit(s) of a given road with a numerical value which may or may not be the default speed

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limit. In other places, default speed limits that are relevant to road users may be indicated by a non-numeric sign, a lack of speed limit signs, the presence of streetlights, or the physical arrangement of the road. If a default limit applies everywhere within one country or state, it is known as a national or state speed limit. Different default speed limits usually apply to urban streets, rural highways, and freeway like roads and these values may also vary according to the type of vehicle. A posted limit that is lower than a default speed limit is generally given precedence. A posted speed limit differing from the default speed limit is typically a linear speed limit and only applies to that road, and not necessarily any intersecting roads. Zonal speed limits apply on all roads beyond the sign that defines them.

The start of a different speed limit is usually marked numerically by posting a speed limit sign. Speed limit signs often appear near borders and road intersections, and in some cases, especially the U.S., speed limit reminder signs appear at regular intervals. In the European Union, large signposts showing the national (default) speed limits of the respective country are usually erected immediately after border crossings, with a repeater sign some 200 to 500 metres (about 650 to 1,650 ft) after the first sign. The same practice is followed in many American states.

Vocabulary

· allow – дозволяти, допускати

· еnforce – слідкувати за виконанням

· to adjust – пристосовуватися, регулювати

· revise – передивитися

· lantern – ліхтар

· to assigne – назначати

· default – несплата; автоматичний вибір; не виконувати обов’язків

· relevance – доречний

· apply to – стосуватися чогось

Ex.2. Complete and translate the following word-combinations. / Доповніть і перекладіть словосполучення:

 

A road ________ limit, ________ bodies of nations, provincial governments, ______ public roads in most places, urban ______, rural highways, and freeway, a speed ________sign, speed ______ ______ often appear near borders and road intersections.

 

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Ex.3. Answer the following questions. / Дайте відповіді на питання:

What is a road speed limit?

What was the first speed limit? When?

Do some roads have "minimum speed limits"?

 

Ex.4. The following diagram illustrates the popularity of the various types of transport that people use to commute. Look at the diagram and fill the gaps with words from the list. / Зазначена діаграми показує популярність різних видів транспорту, яким можна дістатися до місця. Подивись на цю діаграму і заповни пропуски словами із списку:

minority

per cent

large proportion of

majority

 

1. The … of people prefer to commute by train.

2. A … people take the bus to work.

3. Fifteen … of people drive to work.

4. A … of people cycle to work.

52 % 28 % 15 % 5 %

TRAIN BUS CAR BICYCLE

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |

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