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What's The Speed Limit For A Car Towing A Trailer On A Motorway?

  By - Eagan Taylor    On Feb 13, 2025

What's The Speed Limit For A Car Towing A Trailer On A Motorway?

For a safe driving environment, a car towing a trailer needs to follow the speed limit set by the United Kingdom’s government. It also helps in controlling the traffic flow and avoiding frequent collisions. Whether it is a motorway, single or dual carriageway, we have jotted down the speed limits for a car transporter trailer.

What are the different speed limits for car towing trailers on motorways?

Are you an enthusiast who loves to visit the valley but not without your camping unbraked trailer towed with your vehicle? So what's worrying you? Is it the fear of overspeeding that you think might make you end up losing a star on your British license along with a hefty fine?

No doubt, obtaining a license in the UK is not an easy task. A single violation such as not adhering to the speed limit set for a car towing on a trailer can turn out to be detrimental. To help you out in this situation, we have jotted down the speed limits set by the UK government:

We all are aware of the fact that the speed limit on the motorway is 70 miles per hour. Right? But there is a slight change when it comes to unbraked trailers. The maximum speed allowed for a car towing a trailer is 60 miles per hour on a motorway!

Do You Know?

You will sometimes have to drive slower than a lorry because of the safety concerns. Therefore, overtaking is usually avoided by people.

Car Towing Trailer Speed Limits On Carriage Ways

The speed in carriageways may differ based on the number of lanes and type of traffic. To avoid fines by the police, take a look at speed limits in both situations:

For Single Carriage Way 

For Dual Carriage Way

Single carriageways are usually smaller than dual carriageways and have a general speed limit of 60 miles per hour. For unbraked trailers, it is 10 mp/h slower, i.e. 50 mp/h.The speed limit set for general traffic is 70 miles per hour. For unbraked trailers, the speed is 10 miles per hour is slower i.e.; 60 mph!

Logical Reasons Behind Setting Up Speed Limits For Car Trailer

Have you ever feared an unbraked trailer cutting loose from the towing vehicle and hitting you? Does it seem dangerous? Did a wave of fear just run through your body?

Along with the aforementioned reason, some others serve as a logical reason for adhering to the speed limits set for a car towing a trailer.

Balancing the Traffic Flow

Mismanagement of traffic is one of the biggest worries of policing. The situation turns intricate when trollies or unbraked trailers become part of the general vehicular holdup. If heavy vehicles follow the fixed and lowered speed limits, traffic can be balanced in a much better way! 

Maintaining A Safe Driving Environment

The presence of small cars ( mini sedans, hatchbacks, etc.) and bikes on the motorway demands extra care while driving. As far as the presence of unbraked trailers towed by cars is concerned, speed limits play an important role in helping create a safe driving environment.

Example:

If the pressure bolts of unbraked trailers become loose on the motorway at a speed of more than 60mp/h, the results can be disastrous. To avoid such a situation, lower speed limits set by the UK government are needed to be followed!

Avoiding Reckless Driving

By following a particular speed limit, reckless driving by a car towing a trailer on the motorway can be avoided. A speed limit acts as not only reduces the general flow of traffic but also guarantees safe driving practices such as:

  • Safe overtaking 

  • Adherence to lane discipline 

  • Maintaining a safe distance from the next car 

Taking Care Of The Pedestrians

Pedestrians around single and dual carriageways are always at risk of getting hurt by the traffic. To keep them in a safer radius, setting speed limits for vehicles – especially unbraked trailers on a motorway!

Looking Out For Animals

Have you ever seen herds of sheep grazing the lush green lands while travelling on the motorway? Well, animals can generally come on the motorway, necessitating the need to follow speed limits.

Trailer cars may lack braking owing to which they need to adhere to the maximum speed restrictions – keeping the animals safe and sound!

Conclusion

In a nutshell, it can be said that car towing trailers need to drive within the maximum speed of 60 miles per hour. It would not only help in maintaining the traffic flow but also reduce the chance of collisions. In addition to this, it would also help in making a safe traffic environment!

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FAQs

  1. How about we go for car trailer hire?
    Yes, it is an option used by some people to avoid the intricacies of car towing trailers on motorways!
  2. Is there a trailer for a car as well?
    Yes, there are trailers built for cars but they are a different story. They are mostly used to transport vehicles from one place to another!
  3. Does the slow speed of a car towing a trailer on a motorway help?
    It does! The speed of 60 mp/h is set by competent authorities so that timely braking can help avert accidents!
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About Author : Eagan Taylor

Hey! I'm Eagan Taylor, I'm a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging and thought-provoking content. With a broad range of interests and expertise in various subjects, I can write on multiple topics about local businesses.

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