FTA calls for bus and truck speed limit review05 May 2010

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) believes that speed limits for buses and trucks should be harmonised to give the greatest safety benefits for all road users.

The message from the FTA comes in response to a government consultation on heavy HG) and passenger vehicle (PCV) motorway speed limits.

The trade body has questioned the logic behind introducing different speed limits for the two vehicle categories, with PCV limits being set higher than HGVs.

"These plans should make it easier for police to enforce the law and, crucially, by reducing the speed limit for smaller trucks from 70mph to 60mph, it will remove some of the incentive for operators to run unrestricted lorries that are older," says Malcolm Bingham, FTA's head of road network management policy.

He explains that, under the current situation, some operators are running more heavily polluting vehicles, while also jeopardising road safety,

"Despite this being a step in the right direction, it is odd that the proposed 65mph limit for passenger carrying vehicles is not being extended to HGVs – if anything the safety implications here would surely be greater," adds Bingham.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

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