Whilst doing a web search using the keywords: speed limit .gov.uk I found the following interesting web page: http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/roadnetwork/ditm/tal/signs/01_95/index.htm
Note that it describes distances between street lights as '183 metres (185 metres in Scotland)'. Street lights are relevant to UK speed limits because they indicate that a default limit of 30 mph applies (unless otherwise stated). This clearly is a conversion from a rational non-metric distance of 200 yards. I mention this page because it demonstrates a difference between metrication in Scotland and England. Scottish law has included rounding to the nearest 5 metres whereas in England it is to the nearest 1 metre. -- Terry Simpson Human Factors Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.connected-systems.com Phone: +44 7850 511794 > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner-usma@;colostate.edu] On Behalf > Of Ma Be > Sent: 05 November 2002 15:58 > To: U.S. Metric Association > Subject: [USMA:23121] Speed limit values > > On Mon, 04 Nov 2002 17:44:13 > Tom Wade VMS Systems wrote: > ... > >I would just be afraid that your letter would give the impression that > >30 km/h is 'normal' on the mainland, and would encourage the government > to > >perform a 'euro-ripoff' on the conversion here. > > > Actually 30 km/h IS 'normal' on OUR mainland here (Canada). It's the > limit around school zones. > > NOTE: I do agree though that such value is ridiculously slow (even for > school zones!...). 40 would certainly be more appropriate. > > As for the other argument concerning 5 km/h readouts, indeed, such are > quite common for the "yellow" signs (recommended) around more "dangerous" > sectors of roads/highways (e.g. 65, 75 are just values I remember seeing > in Alberta).
