Speeding Lorry Driver Calls For HGV Limit To Be Raised

[RobBrady]

A lorry driver, who was caught speeding by a speed camera, is calling for people to participate in the government review of HGV speed limits after describing the current limit as "life-threatening".

The limit for Alan Kaye's 44-tonne lorry, and other HGVs weighing in excess of 7.5 tonnes, is 40mph.

Mr Kaye was caught doing 48mph on the A15 at Snitterby, and has since been urging people to get on board with proposed government changes to HGV speed limits.

In a bid to boost trade, the Department of Transport has proposed plans to raise the limit on single carriageways for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes to 45 or 50mph.

Mr Kaye said: "Slow-moving trucks on single carriageway roads are causing life-threatening situations by impatient drivers making unnecessary and dangerous overtaking manoeuvres to get past. Time is running out to have your say on this important issue."

Discussion got underway back in November and is due to come to an end on 1 February. The speed limit for HGVs between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes will be kept at 50mph.

Since 49% of British motorists ignore the current 70mph speed limit on the motorways, the Department for Transport hope the increased limit will reduce the number of speeding motorists.

Source

Consultation

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Robert Brady

[w_axlrose1]

So following this lorry drivers logic there seems little point in raising the limit for HGVs at all unless they are going to be doing the same 60mph that other road users are doing. An HGV traveling at 50mph just takes longer to pass than one traveling at 40mph so creates even more danger.

[M8TJT]

That would be a consequence that will probably be totally missed by the people making the decisions So the optimum would possibly slow them down to let's say 20MPH to make overtaking less hazardous than it is at present

[carl_w]

Except that the art of overtaking appears to have been lost, and the HGV would be followed by a queue of cars also travelling at 20mph, not leaving enough gaps between them to overtake safely without overtaking all of them.

[M8TJT]

Just goes to show. That consequence was totally missed by the person who made the previous post to yours

[chrissuk2000]

Of course banning them from being on the road altogether would work, albeit a little counter productive
Lets face it 40 mph is a little tardy. Technology has moved on a bit and modern trucks are significantly safer than some of the old bangers that are allowed to drive at the national speed limit.

[Sionyn]

I was under the impression that part of the reason for a lower speed limit on heavier vehicles was because of increased damage to roads with higher speeds.
I have no evidence or links to back this up, however, so it's quite possible that I'm talking out of my posterior. I'd be very happy to be proved wrong (I learn stuff that way!).
Even if this is true, of course, road construction (at least on main roads) has presumably improved along with advances in truck construction and safety - so this may no longer be relevant...
{shrug}

[C1man]

In my 3.5 ton motorhome I have no restiction on single lane roads but rarely drive above 50mph. When towing my car the limit drops to 50mph and I probably average around 45mph only occasionally aproaching the limit.

I am happy with these limits for me but think artics could be relaxed a little to 45mph.
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Tim
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[Andy_P]

[mikealder]

I drive in to Lincolnshire on a regular basis and the roads with National Speed Limit are a joke, combining two classes of vehicles on the same road with different speed limits is without doubt contributing to the high accident rate.
Switch from National Speed limit to 50MPH and I am sure the accident rate will reduce, the A15 and A17 don't have many spots suitable for safe overtaking - Mike

[carl_w]

[spook51]

Be careful what you wish for - many rural A and B roads have had their speed lmits reduced to 50mph for cars and bikes by councils which now have powers to do so. Imagine what would happen if HGVs had their nationally regulated speed limit increased to 45 or 50mph.

[Allan_whoops]

If they are looking at speed limits for HGVs then they should also bring in a minimum speed limit of 60 on motorways for any vehicle under 3.5t who is NOT using lane 1.

[TuppyTrucker]

The 40mph limit on LGVs is dangerous. The police on the road take no action against trucks doing 50mph, and the only convictions are from cameras. 40mph is too slow and encourages car drivers to overtake, often dangerously. At 50mph most car drivers are happy to sit behind and not make a dangerous overtake. Take a trip on the A605 and watch.
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[M8TJT]

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