The Department of Transport conducted a survey of vehicle speeds during July and August 1987, following essentially the same principle as earlier surveys in 1977 and 1983. This bulletin gives the main results of the survey and indicates how speeds have changed since 1983. There has been no change in the average speed of cars and motorcycles on single carriageway roads (44mph in 1977 and 1983, 43mph in 1987). On dual carriageway roads the average speeds of all types of vehicles have increased since 1983. On motorways average speeds for all types of vehicles except motorcycles have fallen between 1983 and 1987. The statistics are presented in tables and diagrams.
Abstract