Transport Minister Claire Perry has announced that the speed limit for HGVs will be raised from 40 to 50 MPH from early 2015.

The move is part of a package of measures to cut congestion, reduce dangerous overtaking and help get the country moving.  A consultation on plans to raise the limit on dual carriageways from 50 to 60 mph was also launched in July.

Heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are currently stuck at 40 mph on single carriageway roads in the UK, a speed limit set in the 1960s and at odds with other large vehicles on the roads.

Geoff Dunning, from the Road Haulage Association, said, “This evidence-based decision by ministers, to increase the limit to 50 mph 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 The current limit is long out of date and the frustration it generates causes unnecessary road safety risks.”

However road safety charity Brake has reacted angrily to the move. 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?”

The change in speed limits will bring England and Wales in line with other European road safety leaders, such as Denmark and Norway. Depending on the consultation responses, the increase for dual carriageways will come in at the same time as those for single carriageways. The existing limits continue to apply until the change has been put into effect.

Photo: Increasing the limit to 50mph is intended to cut congestion.


Comment

What do you think? Is Ms. Townsend right with her somewhat utopian opinion, or will this relaxation stop dangerous overtaking?  E-mail comment@themover.co.uk and have your say.