'Compared to tachos the new speed limiter legislation is so unfair'
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New speed limiter law gives an unfair advantage to hauliers running old lorries, says Bradford operator, Stephen Hodgson.
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ouliers operating pre-1988 vehicles have an unfair advantage because they are not recuired to fit speed limiters under the laws wnich came into force last month, affecting all UK hauliers (international operators were required to fit limiters from 1 January 1995). If my wagon works all week and is fitted with a speed limiter and my competitor runs a vehicle without a limiter, due to the vehicle's age, he could gain up to 188 miles per week over a 47-hour driving week based on Monday to Friday working. In other words, between half to one day's work. In cash terms this could mean a loss of 2100 to 2300, depending on the job. On one of my typical runs to the Midlands the 56mph limit adds 30 to 40 minutes to the return journey. Hauliers may find other costs creeping in, such as paying for extra drivers' nights out. Tachographs were fitted for safety reasons and so that no haulier had an unfair advantage over its competitors. Compared to that the new speed limiter legislation is so unfair. It seems crazy to limit new vehicles to 56mph, while old ones can continue at 60mph. New vehicles are technically more advanced with ABS, traction control and other braking systems. They are bound to be able to stop more quickly than pre-1988 lorries.
I have always known and believed that the national speed limit on a motorway is 60mph for LGVs— not 56mph for some and 60mph for others. Then there is the matter of coaches, now banned from the outside lanes of motorways because they are limited to 65mph and, therefore, 5mph slower than the maximum allowed for cars.
New laws state they would rather let them use the first two lanes of the motorway, carrying 40 to 60 passengers on board, and travelling 9mph faster than the maximum for most lorries. Where's the sense in that? Surely it is more of a risk mixing coaches and slower-moving lorries than letting the coaches overtake in the outside lane at 70mph. All Icon see in the future is an unsafe, unfair system.
• If you want lo sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane.