Road types

The speed limit will depend on the road that you are travelling on. Make sure you know the road type so you can adjust your speed accordingly.

Single carriageway – an undivided road with no centre barrier
Dual carriageway – a two way divided road with a central barrier that you are able to cross from side roads
Motorway - a two way divided road with a central barrier containing slip roads with access via slip roads and there is no crossway traffic

Did you know that the risk of death is approximately four times higher when a pedestrian is hit at 40mph than 30mph?*

When it comes to driving in built up areas it is important to remember that the speed limit is 30mph unless there is signage that states otherwise. Therefore a road may be classed as a dual carriageway, but it could still have a speed limit of 30mph. Section 124 of the Highway Code states: ‘Street lights usually mean that there is a 30 mph speed limit unless there are signs showing another limit’ (Class C and unclassified roads).

These are some of the roads in Aberdeen which are dual carriageways and have a 30mph speed limit. Please note that this list is not exhaustive:

North Esplanade West
Market Street (Trinity Quay to Victoria Bridge)
Virginia Street
Commerce Street
East North Street
West North Street
Beach Boulevard
Causewayend
Ellon Road (from Bridge of Don to North Donside Road
Wellington Road (from QE2 Bridge to its junction near Greenwell Rd)
Great Northern Rd (from Printfield Walk to near Deer Rd)
Auchmill Rd (through Bucksburn )

When you are driving always look out for signs that indicate the speed limit might have changed and remember that it might be safer to drive below the speed limit.

* See Department for Transport: Road Web Publication No. 16