Re: Is this a lost in translation
@Lusty,
With the greatest respect, this is not "the same crap"; I know many find it surprising, but it is UK Law.
Sources:
1) The Driving Course I've just been on, courtesy of Warwickshire Police :-)
2) Wikipedia
"In the UK Highway Code, a built-up area is a settled area in which the speed limit of a road is automatically 30 mph (48 km/h). These roads are known as 'restricted roads' and are identified by the presence of street lights."
3) Section 125 of the highway code
https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-drivers-riders-103-to-158/control-of-the-vehicle-117-to-126
"*The 30 mph limit usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting unless signs show otherwise."
4) Section 82 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/section/82
"(1) Subject to the provisions of this section and of section 84(3) of this Act, a road is a restricted road for the purposes of section 81 of this Act[F1if—
(a)in England and Wales, there is provided on it a system of street lighting furnished by means of lamps placed not more than 200 yards apart;"
In conclusion, on a road in a built up area (please tell me where there is one, we'll have a look on StreetView) and there are no signs which say otherwise, then the national speed limit does apply and, if you are driving a driving a normal car (i.e. no trailer etc), that limit is 60mph. UNLESS there is a pattern of streetlights. I think whether they are lit or not is a red herring --- otherwise such roads would not be restricted during the daytime, which would be nonsensical.