A  proposal to simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were published recently by the Department for Transport. 

The changes in regulations are needed due to differences that have arisen between new vehicles, which are fitted with speed limiters, and older vehicles which are not. Because of the fact that newer LGVs are fitted with speed limiters they are only able to travel at 56 mph whereas older, unlimited, vehicles can travel up to 70 mph on motorways. The same problem arises between older and new vehicles with over 8 seats, with the newer vehicles being limited to 62 mph. In addition to this limited vehicles are not allowed to use the right hand lane of a three lane motorway but unlimited vehicles are.

Not only can this cause confusion with other drivers it also provides no incentive to companies to invest in newer, safer and more fuel efficient vehicles.

 The proposals put forward in the consultation document include:

-  Setting a 65 mph limit for all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats regardless of whether or not they are fitted with a speed limiting device;

-  Setting the motorway speed limit at 60 mph for all HGVs over 3.5 tonnes regardless of whether or not they are fitted with a speed limiting device;

-  Prohibiting all HGVs between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes and all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats from using the right hand lane of motorways with three or more lanes.

Paul Clark, the Road Safety Minister commented:

“We want to provide clarity for everybody – drivers, operators, other motorists and the police – as well as making sure that there is a level playing field for those operating in the bus, coach and road haulage industry.

“These proposals simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and lorries so that everyone has to abide by the same rules regardless of the age of their vehicle.”

In a recent question in the House of Commons, Lord Bradshaw asked how many people were killed or seriously injured in the 37 accidents in 2008 that may have been avoided if the LGV involved had been fitted with retro-reflective conspicuity markings and what was the cost to the country.

The answer from Lord Adonis (Secretary of State for Transport) was that there were 48 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. However, fitting such markings would not prevent all such crashes (nor would it have necessarily have prevented these) as other factors could be involved such as excessive speed, lack of concentration etc.

It was also not possible to calculate the actual cost to the country of these crashes but using average values the cost of the 37 accidents was around £70 million.