ROG:
When another LGV starts to overtake do you immediately ease off to assist it ?
Are you seriously suggesting that I should assist someone else to break the law?
I am suggesting that you should make a situation as safe as possible
If the red mist has descended on another driver, then all bets are off as there’s absolutely nothing I can do to make the situation safer. That was their decision…it’s completely out of my hands.
Please explain why you cannot make the situation safer ?
Which part of the best way to make the situation safer,would be for all concerned,including the law in it’s enforcement,to treat the single carriageway 40 mph truck national speed limit,with a lot of discretion,which in many,if not most,cases would mean it’s ok to travel at a reasonable rate of speed ( on the limiter would be fine ),to avoid the need for others to overtake,don’t you understand.
What are you on about ■■?!!!
I was referring to a situation where one LGV on a SC doing 40 starts to get overtaken by another and what the safest thing to do is
ROG:
When another LGV starts to overtake do you immediately ease off to assist it ?
Are you seriously suggesting that I should assist someone else to break the law?
I am suggesting that you should make a situation as safe as possible
If the red mist has descended on another driver, then all bets are off as there’s absolutely nothing I can do to make the situation safer. That was their decision…it’s completely out of my hands.
Please explain why you cannot make the situation safer ?
Which part of the best way to make the situation safer,would be for all concerned,including the law in it’s enforcement,to treat the single carriageway 40 mph truck national speed limit,with a lot of discretion,which in many,if not most,cases would mean it’s ok to travel at a reasonable rate of speed ( on the limiter would be fine ),to avoid the need for others to overtake,don’t you understand.
What are you on about ■■?!!!
I was referring to a situation where one LGV on a SC doing 40 starts to get overtaken by another and what the safest thing to do is
It’s obvious that the vehicle being overtaken in that situation needs to back off as much as possible.
However,as I’ve said,the idea of having a speed limit that is so unrealistic,together with the equally unrealistic enforcement regime and resulting levels of unrealistic adherence to it,by all oncerned,is actually creating a hazard considering that overtaking by trucks on single carriageway roads is more of a risk than allowing LGV’s to run on them on the limiter thereby removing the need for them to overtake.
Therefore ‘the safest thing to do’ would be as the French authorities do in enforcing the limit with a lot more discretion and understanding thereby increasing truck speeds on single carriageway roads thereby reducing the amount of overtaking,at least/especially by trucks,which seems to be the problem according to the OP.
Its only mobile cameras and the odd fixed ones that are interested in speeding trucks, i’ve had police behind me before whilst speeding nothing happen, one of my mates had undercover overtake him then flash up on the sign “slow down”.
Carryfast, do you have a website link to explain your posts, that would make it much more clear…
Saaamon:
Carryfast, do you have a website link to explain your posts, that would make it much more clear…
I’m just saying that if the law said that they will apply a lot more discretion in ‘the enforcement’ of the 40 mph national speed limit as it applies to trucks that would obviously result in more trucks,that are currently running at such low speeds, being able to run faster where it’s reasonable to do so.Therefore less need to overtake them.Based on the fact that the increase in risk created by the increased running speeds would be outweighed by the decrease in risks created by those faster running speeds resulting in less overtaking of slow running trucks by faster running ones.
IE rather than Rog’s idea,of slower running trucks,trying to ( possibly unsuccessfuly ) cure the symptoms of overtaking risks,by backing off every time that they get overtaken.It would be better for those slower running trucks to be running faster thereby curing the cause of the risk by removing the requirement to overtake them.
Saaamon:
Carryfast, do you have a website link to explain your posts, that would make it much more clear…
I’m just saying that if the law said that they will apply a lot more discretion in ‘the enforcement’ of the 40 mph national speed limit as it applies to trucks that would obviously result in more trucks,that are currently running at such low speeds, being able to run faster where it’s reasonable to do so.Therefore less need to overtake them.Based on the fact that the increase in risk created by the increased running speeds would be outweighed by the decrease in risks created by those faster running speeds resulting in less overtaking of slow running trucks by faster running ones.
IE rather than Rog’s idea,of slower running trucks,trying to ( possibly unsuccessfuly ) cure the symptoms of overtaking risks,by backing off every time that they get overtaken.It would be better for those slower running trucks to be running faster thereby curing the cause of the risk by removing the requirement to overtake them.
I agree with what your saying… Was just having abit of banter because normally your posts contain a link at the bottom to help explain your point
we are on tracker so i travel at 40mph on s/c,everyone comes stomping past…including a tractor of some sort this morning on the A46 i keep to 48/50 on d/c,and everyone comes stomping past.it feels like i’m in everyone’s way.
Can I ask a question?
If you are travelling at 55/56 on single carriageway and the limit is 40 and you get caught speeding. Who is paying the speeding fine and who is going to take the points?
Who benefits from travelling in excess of 40mph on a single carriageway?
I got talking to a driver from a Scottish company from Kelso with turquiose motors as to which route to take and replied “tek this one so ye can get ye foot down”
When I asked matey boy why should I “get mi foot down” he said “te get another load in.”
“Why do I want to get another load in? I am not going to get anymore money at the end of the week.” I exclaimed.
“Ye see we get a light bar!” he says.
“Really? Does that pay my shopping bill in Asda and pay for the kids cloths? No! I’ll stick to 40 just to make your blood boil! Crack on!”
Yes, that A605 is a miserable road if you want to ‘crack-on’. When I used to drive for Tesco we were obliged by the Isotrac gizmo to abide by the 40 mph speed limit. Of course that road is favourite for Tesco drivers coming from Peterborough, and their trucks are to be encountered 24/7, there are Sainsburys and Morrisons rdc’s in close proximity as well, and bound by similar rules.
These days I’m not so restricted, so the right foot gets heavy, not enough straights for the cruise, but I will not pass the ‘shopping trolleys’ as I feel that it’s not really safe to do so. I just have to grin and bear it and let the others take stupid risks.
postman pat:
I agree that it is safer to drive a 50 than at 40 , it would stop hgvs overtaking.
But is it worth the risk of driving at 50 and a fine and points just to feel 'safer ’ ?
No it wouldn’t as the ones doing 56 would still want to overtake to get to where ever they are going a few seconds earlier - personally don’t understand it the law is the law we all know it - end of!
ROG:
Please explain why you cannot make the situation safer ?
I cannot click my fingers and make an oncoming vehicle disappear, nor make my vehicle shorter or the road wider or even stop the forces of nature and the effect on my load and vehicle from an emergency braking manoeuvre.
Below is an email is ent to the Transport minister…
I will let you know when I receive a response…
All of your thoughts would be appreciated…
Dear Sir,
I write in response to the question of 40 mph for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonne on single carriageways and wish to express my views on this subject.
I am a professional LGV driver and always respect the speed limits on all roads in the UK. As a consequence, I have never received a fine or penalty points in 20 years. Additionally, I am paid hourly and as a result speed nowhere for obvious reasons!
I do however encounter other vehicles attempting unnecessary manoeuvres around me, particularly frustrated car drivers who seem to think I am merely on a ‘go slow’ and do not realise the restrictions placed upon my vehicle under law due to poor education on their part or dare I say it, the DSA when they undergo their initial driver training.
I live in the east Anglian area where single carriageways are plenty and can cause significant tailbacks as a result of the speed limitations. Whereas this does not really bother me per say, it does bother me when I receive a torrent of abuse from other drivers as a consequence. It would appear that most are simply not aware of the limits, most are unaware of the blind spots on my vehicle and the amount of near miss accidents I see due to frustration is simply staggering!
I have always wondered how such a limit was constructed based on the fact my vehicle has some of the finest technology on board from ABS and distance monitoring equipment particularly as coaches full of people come past me at 50mph and I’m still limited to 40mph even when not towing a trailer! I would also like to ask why the issue of driver education regarding large vehicles is not taught at base level to ALL drivers? I do appreciate that most will never drive a LGV, however, they do share the same carriageways as me and as a consequence should be educated on speed limits, blind spots, undertaking, wide turning etc.
As I am sure you appreciate, I speak to many drivers in RDCs, depots and rest stops. My opinion is by no means is merely my own, but generally the opinion of most professional LGV drivers whom encounter similar events on a daily basis. I simply felt the need after many years to ask for your opinion on this subject and enquire if any review of current laws were under consideration.
I thank you for your time and look forward to your response.
Very well put. Can’t see anything wrong with the argument.
It even leaves open the actual option of what to do about it?
Personally, I’d like to see an element of the car test include knowledge of “reading the road from the other driver’s point of view”, including the bus and LGV drivers viewpoint.
Car drivers live in a little bubble where no one matters except themselves - at least that’s how it seems when you see a single occupant who’s not dressed for a transport-related job driving it!
It’s even worse when some of those same car drivers later get to become LGV drivers on the “6 points OK” ticket.
Me either on that particular road. Now I don’t stick religiously to the 40 limit by any shape or form but on there it reaally isn’t safe to go much faster. We all know the roads where 40 for a truck is just taking the ■■■■ but that ain’t one of 'em IMHO
Reeferpilot:
Below is an email is ent to the Transport minister…
I will let you know when I receive a response…
All of your thoughts would be appreciated…
Dear Sir,
I write in response to the question of 40 mph for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonne on single carriageways and wish to express my views on this subject.
I am a professional LGV driver and always respect the speed limits on all roads in the UK. As a consequence, I have never received a fine or penalty points in 20 years. Additionally, I am paid hourly and as a result speed nowhere for obvious reasons!
I do however encounter other vehicles attempting unnecessary manoeuvres around me, particularly frustrated car drivers who seem to think I am merely on a ‘go slow’ and do not realise the restrictions placed upon my vehicle under law due to poor education on their part or dare I say it, the DSA when they undergo their initial driver training.
I live in the east Anglian area where single carriageways are plenty and can cause significant tailbacks as a result of the speed limitations. Whereas this does not really bother me per say, it does bother me when I receive a torrent of abuse from other drivers as a consequence. It would appear that most are simply not aware of the limits, most are unaware of the blind spots on my vehicle and the amount of near miss accidents I see due to frustration is simply staggering!
I have always wondered how such a limit was constructed based on the fact my vehicle has some of the finest technology on board from ABS and distance monitoring equipment particularly as coaches full of people come past me at 50mph and I’m still limited to 40mph even when not towing a trailer! I would also like to ask why the issue of driver education regarding large vehicles is not taught at base level to ALL drivers? I do appreciate that most will never drive a LGV, however, they do share the same carriageways as me and as a consequence should be educated on speed limits, blind spots, undertaking, wide turning etc.
As I am sure you appreciate, I speak to many drivers in RDCs, depots and rest stops. My opinion is by no means is merely my own, but generally the opinion of most professional LGV drivers whom encounter similar events on a daily basis. I simply felt the need after many years to ask for your opinion on this subject and enquire if any review of current laws were under consideration.
I thank you for your time and look forward to your response.
Kindest regards,
Just sitting here wading through all 4 pages of this thread and thinking what a pity it is that some of the energy and enthusiasm shown by the posters doesn’t go into lobbying/petitioning the government for an increase in the speed limit, which is obviously what’s needed.
Bernard
the 8-wheel tipper driver that overtook me on a left hand bend heading towards Lincoln on thursday obviously dosen’t agree with the 40 mph limit …shan’t mention his company’s name
I am one of those who sticks to 40mph in a 50mph zone as i got flashed by a speed camera on the A5. Normally i would have spotted it but i was looking for a turn off in the dark and did not know i was going over 40mph,and another 3 points on my licence means as an agency driver i would find it difficult to get work.
