Just seen this on the BBC website.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h … s-25236767
Could this pave the way for a change in the law for the rest of the country? I hope so.
When I passed my test in 1980 most drivers traveled at 60mph on all classes of roads with an eye on the mirrors at all times.
As a kid the limit was 20mph, my dad would push the lorry up to 45mph, as fast as a Thames Trader would go. The speed limit went up to 40mph in the late sixties and not moved since. Engine power and brakes have improved many times over but still no increase in the speed limit. I have not seen many bad lorry accidents but a lot concerning other groups of road users. The speed limit does not increase because of the road safety movement ( car drivers ).
Any HGV driver worth his salt will stay back from a car until it is safe to pass. With the increase of speed the cost of running a lorry increases, tires and wear and tear and fuel. A slightly higher limit does increase both productivity and fuel usage.
The only trucks that do 40mph on the A9 are the ones belonging to the supermarkets the rest are on or near the limiter so cant see how the trial will make any difference (apart from slow them down when the cameras are operational !)
raymundo:
The only trucks that do 40mph on the A9 are the ones belonging to the supermarkets the rest are on or near the limiter so cant see how the trial will make any difference (apart from slow them down when the cameras are operational !)
Having driven on other roads with average speed cameras I doubt it will make any difference. You have certain drivers who will never stick to the limits.
Well they could have stuck camera’s up and kept the 40mph limit so this has to be welcomed.
waddy640:
raymundo:
The only trucks that do 40mph on the A9 are the ones belonging to the supermarkets the rest are on or near the limiter so cant see how the trial will make any difference (apart from slow them down when the cameras are operational !)Having driven on other roads with average speed cameras I doubt it will make any difference. You have certain drivers who will never stick to the limits.
They will if/when the cameras get smart & start detecting HGV’s, then all the 56 mph Hero’s will be off the road. (Hopefully)
Wrinkly:
When I passed my test in 1980 most drivers traveled at 60mph on all classes of roads with an eye on the mirrors at all times.
As a kid the limit was 20mph, my dad would push the lorry up to 45mph, as fast as a Thames Trader would go. The speed limit went up to 40mph in the late sixties and not moved since. Engine power and brakes have improved many times over but still no increase in the speed limit. I have not seen many bad lorry accidents but a lot concerning other groups of road users. The speed limit does not increase because of the road safety movement ( car drivers ).
Any HGV driver worth his salt will stay back from a car until it is safe to pass. With the increase of speed the cost of running a lorry increases, tires and wear and tear and fuel. A slightly higher limit does increase both productivity and fuel usage.
Hmmm I passed my test in 1977 and our memories seem completely different.I do not remember ever seeing lorries doing 60 in a 40.I do remember that most would stick around 50 and the police where quite happy with that.The reason they would not raise the limit then was because at 40 most were doing 50 and they knew if they raised it to 50 then they would be doing 60.
As for 20 limits…well as far as I am aware they were none back then?
You have not seen many bad lorry accidents? Do you not read the news■■?
I think it is good that they are having a trail using 50 as the limit and I hope it works but I feel you will still get the idiots on the limiter that will spoil it all!
ajt:
Well they could have stuck camera’s up and kept the 40mph limit so this has to be welcomed.
That could still happen if BRAKE and other groups start making noises.
Another reason will be to generate revenue for “Independent Scotland”
I don’t think the police give a toss. I was driving along a major s/c A road at night on the limiter, slowing a bit for corners and junctions and there was a car behind me with plenty of chances for it to overtake, but it just held back. As soon as I got on the d/c it passed me and of course, it was a police car. I think as long as you are driving safely they turn a blind eye. It’s only the cameras and manned speed traps where they are actually looking for speeders that you need to worry about.
Ched:
I don’t think the police give a toss. I was driving along a major s/c A road at night on the limiter, slowing a bit for corners and junctions and there was a car behind me with plenty of chances for it to overtake, but it just held back. As soon as I got on the d/c it passed me and of course, it was a police car. I think as long as you are driving safely they turn a blind eye. It’s only the cameras and manned speed traps where they are actually looking for speeders that you need to worry about.
Can you explain to me why you deem it necessary to drive flat out and break the law? No doubt you will have what you think is a good reason for doing so, personally I cant think of one.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I doubt anyone who isn’t being tracked, actually sticks to every single limit.
A14?
waddy640:
Ched:
I don’t think the police give a toss. I was driving along a major s/c A road at night on the limiter, slowing a bit for corners and junctions and there was a car behind me with plenty of chances for it to overtake, but it just held back. As soon as I got on the d/c it passed me and of course, it was a police car. I think as long as you are driving safely they turn a blind eye. It’s only the cameras and manned speed traps where they are actually looking for speeders that you need to worry about.Can you explain to me why you deem it necessary to drive flat out and break the law? No doubt you will have what you think is a good reason for doing so, personally I cant think of one.
Does it actually have anything to do with you?
40 on a s/c is quite enough for a big lorry.
I think that, and the authorities who decide these things also think that. They`ve thought it for a long time now.
Walk along a s/c road or cycle along one until an artic comes past at 56mph and see how you feel then. The roads arent just for us "truckers", theyre for everybody.
cheekymonkey:
40 on a s/c is quite enough for a big lorry.I think that, and the authorities who decide these things also think that. They`ve thought it for a long time now.
Walk along a s/c road or cycle along one until an artic comes past at 56mph and see how you feel then. The roads aren
t just for us "truckers", theyre for everybody.
Apart from the authority in the link who have common sense and seen the problems it causes.
The limit on s/c roads in France for lorries is 80k/50mph except where speed limits dictate otherwise, never seems to be problem indeed it’s catching I drive in the UK to French limits,
never a problem.
The best solution is a new road sign signalling a 50mph limit for trucks on certain roads, rather than a blanket upping of the NSL. The 40 limit is fine in most places, but there are some roads where it’s clearly excessively slow.
Drivers in general though should stop getting their knickers in a twist over this limit & going round and round in circles with the whole debate. Accept it.
I can guarantee that should the limit be up to 50, there will be drivers whinging when they are done for 56. 50mph limit = most HGV drivers on the limiter.
Olog Hai:
waddy640:
Ched:
I don’t think the police give a toss. I was driving along a major s/c A road at night on the limiter, slowing a bit for corners and junctions and there was a car behind me with plenty of chances for it to overtake, but it just held back. As soon as I got on the d/c it passed me and of course, it was a police car. I think as long as you are driving safely they turn a blind eye. It’s only the cameras and manned speed traps where they are actually looking for speeders that you need to worry about.Can you explain to me why you deem it necessary to drive flat out and break the law? No doubt you will have what you think is a good reason for doing so, personally I cant think of one.
Does it actually have anything to do with you?
This is a forum and it’s purpose is for members to ask questions and debate matters of interest, is there anything else you would like to know?
PaulNowak:
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I doubt anyone who isn’t being tracked, actually sticks to every single limit.A14?
I do, and have for many years. Even when salaried.
Not paid enough to pay out a ticket.
waddy640:
Ched:
I don’t think the police give a toss. I was driving along a major s/c A road at night on the limiter, slowing a bit for corners and junctions and there was a car behind me with plenty of chances for it to overtake, but it just held back. As soon as I got on the d/c it passed me and of course, it was a police car. I think as long as you are driving safely they turn a blind eye. It’s only the cameras and manned speed traps where they are actually looking for speeders that you need to worry about.Can you explain to me why you deem it necessary to drive flat out and break the law? No doubt you will have what you think is a good reason for doing so, personally I cant think of one.
No particular reason. It depends on how heavily loaded I am, time of day or night, nature of the road etc. There are some s/c roads where I go slower than the speed limit because I am continually doing a risk assessment in my head such as “could there be a horse or a cyclist round the next bend?” or “might that car parked in the lay by ahead suddenly pull out without checking their mirrors?”.
My main point was that I was followed by a police car whilst sometimes doing 56mph on a s/c road and they didn’t do anything about it.
The problem is that if plod is in a good mood you will get away with but if not then there is a price to pay. When they are sitting behind you it is difficult to tell whether it is a good mood plod or a bad mood plod.