Q I have recently been informed by a union official that
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the DoE inspectors use an average speed of 39mph to assess from a log sheet if an hgv has been exceeding the speed limit on a motorway. For example, the mileage from point A I point B consists of 117 mik of motorway running and completed in under thrE hours, then the DoE, co prosecute for dangerous careless driving. Could ye confirm or deny this? A It is difficult to unde stand the reasoning I the union official Who e: pounded the theory which contained in your letter. .4 commercial vehicles a r allowed to operate at speet up to 60mph on a mOtorwe Why shoUld it be an offem to complete a journey of 11 miles in three hours?
There is no record of driver being prosecuted fc careless or dangerous drivir on a premise of this sort an indeed, a prosecution wou on these grounds have lilt chance of success if proper defended.
However, if a DoE examim felt that the distance th had been covered by vehicle since the drivi began his spell of driving w4 excessive, he would certain: be curious to discover wh In other words, he wolf begin to question the aco racy of the log sheet entrie probably he would chec further at the depot Ira which the vehicle began t journey.
In making these inquirie however, he would ha) regard to all the circus stances ; was the route takE one which would allow a goc speed to be maintained? WI it free from hold-up on ti day in question ? And so on.
Thus, each case would I considered on its own merit What would be considered reasonable speed in one cal might be an impossible spei In another.
It is not feasible to adoi, the average criterion—ev( for the same route on diffe eat days—for the purpose prosecution.