Trade groups welcome lorry speed limit change

Leading trade associations have today welcomed the Department for Transport’s (DfT) announcement that the speed limit for lorries on single carriageway roads in England and Wales is to be raised from the current 40mph level to 50mph.

The change, which will come into force in early 2015, will affect HGVs of more than 7.5 tonnes travelling on single carriageway roads outside built-up areas. It is said to bring DfT policy in line with that of countries the department called “European road safety leaders”, such as Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.

Meanwhile, the DfT has also announced a six-week consultation on further plans to increase the speed limit for HGVs on dual carriageways, from 50mph to 60mph. Depending on response, this increase is expected to come into force at the same time.

Existing speed limits continue to apply until the changes are implemented via legislation.

The DfT additionally urged local authorities in England to use powers issued to them last year, allowing traffic to be restricted to 30, 40 or 50mph in certain circumstances, including to help protect pedestrians and cyclists.

The department also announced plans to carry out a major study on rural road safety imminently – as well as its intention to encourage an increase in vocational driver conduct hearings, prior to a consultation into new traffic commissioner guidance later in the year.

Announcing the changes in a written statement to Parliament, transport minister Baroness Kramer said: “The current speed limit just does not work – it is broken by about three quarters of HGV drivers at any particular time when they are not constrained by other traffic or the road layout. It is implausible that it could readily be made to work without a disproportionate effort.

“This package allows our roads to be used better and more effectively. It will reduce delays and congestion, particularly on busy single carriageway A roads.”

She continued: “The government is determined that any potential risks higher speeds bring will be managed effectively. This change will reduce speed differences between different types of traffic which is likely to reduce risks. The government is also bringing forward associated measures so we continue to improve safety.

“For example the change to the HGV speed limit will allow us to set up tougher procedures and sanctions for lorry drivers caught exceeding the new speed limits. It will also reinforce the credibility and importance of other safety-critical laws with similar sanctions, including the prohibition on hand held mobile phones and the 30mph limit in towns and cities.”

“This change is founded on a longstanding trend of improving road safety, which we have committed to build on. So we will be introducing a new offence of driving with a drug in the body over specified limits and tightening up drink drive enforcement early next year.

“Last year we increased by two thirds the fixed penalties for many traffic offences and we are consulting on changes to improve enforcement against tired HGV drivers, including those based abroad.”

Meanwhile Lady Kramer’s ministerial colleague Claire Perry, who joined the DfT during last week’s reshuffle, said the new 50mph limit would help “get Britain moving and boost growth”, while saving the haulage industry “£11m a year.”

“Britain has one of the world’s best road safety records and yet speed limits for lorries have been stuck in the 1960s,” said Perry.

“This change will remove a 20mph difference between lorry and car speed limits, cutting dangerous overtaking and bringing permitted lorry speeds into line with other large vehicles like coaches and caravans.

“Current speed limits for HGVs were introduced around 50 years ago and need to be updated given improved vehicle technology.”

The Road Haulage Association’s Geoff Dunning said: “This evidence-based decision by ministers, to increase the limit to 50mph, will be strongly welcomed by hauliers and their drivers. The current limit is long out-of-date and the frustration it generates causes unnecessary road safety risk.

“We consider this announcement to be a real win for the RHA. We have lobbied long and hard on this issue and this positive outcome is a result of members’ input and support.”

Malcolm Bingham, FTA’s head of road network management policy, added: “The FTA strongly supports this decision as we believe there is evidence confirming that road safety will be improved if the differential between HGVs and other road users is reduced.

“Many motorists do not understand that the limit for lorries is only 40mph and this can lead to frustration and on occasion risky overtaking.

“This decision will allow changes to enable our roads to be used safely, and will save time for hauliers resulting in an economic benefit which has been estimated as being worth £11m a year across the freight and logistics industry.”

However, the road safety charity Brake said it had “serious concerns” about the plans.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive for Brake, said: “We are disappointed and concerned by this announcement. Put simply, when vehicles travel faster, it takes them longer to stop, increasing risk. It is very well evidenced that increases in speed equal increases in crashes and casualties.

“At the same time, the road safety justification for this move is dubious: we are not aware of evidence it will help tackle risky overtaking, which should be addressed through other means.

“Pronounced speed differences between traffic can pose a risk, but the way to address this is by preventing car drivers going too fast, not speeding trucks up. The minister says she wants to get the country moving, but we ask at what cost to road users and the environment?

“Our own survey has just revealed the worrying extent of dangerous fast driving on country roads. We should be taking steps to address this, through driver education, lower speed limits and better enforcement. We are concerned for rural communities already blighted by fast traffic and for those who want to safely enjoy the countryside on foot, bike or horseback. This threatens to make these problems worse.”

The consultation on increasing the HGV speed limit on dual carriageways is open until 5 September, and can be found here.