HGV SPEEDING – WHERE IT HAPPENS MOST
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The most up-to-date official data available from the DfT confirms that most HGV speeding takes place off the motorway. Indeed, the DfT’s Road Statistics 2009: Traffic, Speeds and Congestion bulletin (published in July 2010) states: “Very few HGVs exceeded their speed limit of 60mph on motorways. However, over 83% exceeded the 50mph speed limit on dual-carriageway non-built-up roads and 75% exceeded the 40mph limit on single-carriageway, non-built-up roads.” Meanwhile, in 2009 48% of all cars exceeded the 30mph limit on built-up urban roads while “on motorways in 2009, 52% of cars exceeded the 70mph speed limit. In addition, 16% of cars were recorded travelling at 80mph or faster.” Any hike in motorway limits would clearly see closing speeds between cars and trucks increase, with all the attendant issues that would create – which may well explain why ACPO isn’t in favour of a higher motorway limit for cars either.