The Department for Transport (DfT) have recently announced proposals to change the maximum speed limits for:
Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) having a maximum laden weight not exceeding 7.5 tonnes; and,
Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs) adapted to carry more than 8 passengers.
The DfT are proposing to make the following changes to motorway speed limits for
HGVs not exceeding 7.5 tonnes – to reduce the speed limit from 70mph to 60mph;
PCVs not exceeding 12 metres – to reduce the speed limit from 70mph to 65mph; and,
PCVs exceeding 12 metres – to increase the speed limit from 60mph to 65mph.
Making the changes would mean that:
All HGVs would have the same maximum speed limit of 60mph – whereas there are two limits currently (70mph for HGVs not exceeding 7.5 tonnes and 60mph for HGVs exceeding 7.5 tonnes); and,
All PCVs would have the same maximum speed limit of 65mph – whereas there are two limits currently (70mph for PCVs not exceeding 12 metres and 60mph for PCVs exceeding 12 metres).
The main reason for proposing these changes is because most modern HGVs have a technical restriction built into them to limit the maximum speed to 56mph (90Kmh) and most modern PCVs are speed limited to 62.5mph (100Kmh). Consequently, having a speed limit which is greater than the maximum speed at which a vehicle can physically travel is rather pointless, albeit it may serve to provide an incentive for some unscrupulous vehicle operators to circumvent the law on speed limitation devices whilst technically staying within the law on speed limits.
Whilst most HGVs and PCVs registered since 2001 are speed-limited by law, some older, smaller and lighter HGVs and PCVs are not required to have speed limiters fitted, and this gives them a speed advantage on motorways over comparable newer, safer and less polluting vehicles. This state of affairs seems to us both illogical and unfair – and that is a further reason for proposing the changes in this consultation document.
The DfT believe that there would be a number of significant advantages in making the proposed changes, including:
· Minimising the commercial disparity between operators of older vehicles which are not speed-limited and operators of newer ones which are speed-limited.
· Removing the potential incentive for operators to keep older (less safe and more polluting) vehicles in service in order to benefit from a higher maximum speed capability.
· Simplification – because there would only be one maximum speed limit for HGVs and one for PCVs (instead of two for each currently depending on weight and length, respectively).
· Safety – because all drivers would know what maximum speed to expect – and they would also know that no HGV or 8+ seat PCV should be in the outside lane (whereas non-speed-limited ones currently can be).
· Enforcement – because it would be much easier for the police to enforce just one speed limit per vehicle class – and it would consequently also reduce the incentive for operators and drivers to tamper with speed limiters (as some currently do in order to gain a speed advantage).
