As of: February 17, 2024, 6:10 a.m
By: Hannah Blanket
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The speed limit ends automatically at a speed limit after every intersection or motorway entrance - or not?
A common misconception.
Hamm - There are plenty of traffic signs about speed limits in road traffic in Germany.
Drivers can find them in cities, on federal and state roads and on motorways.
But when does the speed limit actually end?
The ADAC dispels a misconception about speed limits,
reports
wa.de.
Many drivers will be of the opinion that a speed limit is automatically lifted after an intersection or motorway entrance if the speed limit sign is not repeated.
But that's not true, explains the ADAC.
Misconception about the speed limit: When does the speed limit end?
“A speed limit generally only ends with the lifting sign (sign 278) or, within town, at the town exit sign,” say the traffic experts.
Traffic sign 278 is the round sign “End of the maximum permissible speed”, where the speed limit is shown as a gray number on a white background and crossed out with black horizontal stripes.
Anyone who turns onto a street or enters a highway where a speed limit applies, but does not repeat this again after the intersection or entrance, may sometimes not know that a speed limit applies there.
According to the ADAC, people unfamiliar with the area cannot be accused of speeding or overtaking violations in such cases.
But it's not just the risk of a fine that is high in such cases.
Without a repeat sign, it can be dangerous if drivers stick to different speed limits.
That is why traffic experts from the ADAC, among others, are calling for “the repetition of traffic signs after junctions and intersections where experience shows that there are many non-local road users”.
Speed limit: Speed limit does not end after every intersection
When it comes to the topic of lifting the speed limit, it is important to distinguish between two types of speed limit: the route ban and the zone ban.
The route ban is a speed limit for a route, marked with the classic round speed limit sign: white background, red border, black number.
The following applies:
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until the end of the route (when the driver turns onto another street or leaves the highway)
up to a cancellation sign
to the yellow town sign
up to a new speed limit
This is what traffic sign 278 looks like: “End of maximum permissible speed” © Imagebroker/Imago
Route bans can also only be valid to a limited extent from the outset, for example if a time is stated on the traffic sign.
Then the speed limit only applies during the specified period.
In addition, a speed limit is restricted if the speed limit sign was placed together with a danger sign.
This can be the case, for example, with a curve or a slope.
The same applies to a construction site.
Speed limit in construction site: No cancellation sign necessary
The ADAC explains: “Here the speed limit ends without a cancellation sign after the end of the indicated danger zone, if the end of the speed limit is clear from the location and there is no cancellation sign in the recognizable vicinity.” A cancellation sign is also not necessary if the length is of the route ban clearly results from an additional sign, for example at a curve.
With a zone ban - a black-bordered, rectangular sign with a speed limit information and the addition "Zone" - the speed limit is always lifted with a corresponding sign.
An entire area is affected by the speed limit.
This usually involves several streets, for example in a residential area.
Are you familiar with the 20-second rule that applies on motorways in Germany?
No?
But you should.
Because: It saves a lot of stress.
Drivers should also know when they can flash their lights.