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Hauliers hit back over DfT's speeding figures

2nd July 2009, Page 6
2nd July 2009
Page 6
Page 6, 2nd July 2009 — Hauliers hit back over DfT's speeding figures
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HAULIERS HAVE hit back after the Department for Transport (DfT) released statistics accusing the industry of widespread breaches of 40mph and 50mph speed limits They have asked for HGV speed limits to be reviewed.

According to the Da bulletin Road Statistics 2008: Traffic, Speetts and Congestion, last year 85% of lorries exceeded the 50mph speed limit on non-built-up dual carriageways, while 75% went above the 40mph limit on singlecarriageway rural roads.

The statistics, however, state that "very few HGVs" exceeded the 60mph motorway limit. Data for the survey was collected from 96 sites governed by a range of speed limits The FreightTransportAssociation says it is time the DfT began a trial on raising HGV speed limits — a view supported by Andy Harrison, transport manager at East Yorkshire-based Nigel Rice Transport.

"The amount of times we get complaints and lorry drivers get abuse from motorists for going too slow is unreal," he says "The 50mph limit encourages other road users to make stupid manoeuvres to try to get ahead of an NOV. so it's definitely time to review the limits."

Steve Cope, transport manager and director at Stafford-based Stan Robinson, adds: "We get a low percentage of speeding lines, but if we do get caught, it's mostly by cameras and not police. It's rare for the police to stop a truck if it is overtaking on these 40mph and 50mph speed limits." The Conservative Party has used the Dfr's statistics to promote its policy to increase the speed limit for lorries travelling on single-carriageway trunk roads from 40mph to 50mph.

Tory shadow transport minister Robert Goodwill says: "40mph is inadequate, too many accidents are occurring because motorists are getting frustrated and overtaking trucks on these roads" He does not believe that HGV speeds are seen as a priority by the police, adding: "When I spoke at the National Road Death Investigation conference in May, no one, including the police audience, criticised or questioned our proposals to raise speed limits."


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