Rural roads speed limit for lorries to rise to 50mph from 40mph in bid to stop tailbacks and prevent dangerous overtaking
- Advances in safety and fears about overtaking hazards lead to changes
- Speed limits on lorries on duel carriageways could also be increased
- Move brings Britain in line with countries in the rest of Europe
- Comes despite poll showing worries about speeding on country roads
The speed limit for lorries is to rise from 40mph to 50mph on rural roads, it was announced today.
Ministers will unveil the change in an attempt to stop tailbacks and prevent dangerous overtaking.
The move, on single carriageway roads, will bring Britain into line with the rest of Europe. A consultation on increasing the speed limit for lorries on dual carriageways from 50mph to 60mph will also be launched.
Speed limits on lorries on rural roads are to be increased to 50mph under changes announced today
Transport Minister Claire Perry told the Daily Telegraph: ‘This change will remove a 20mph difference between lorry and car speed limits, cutting dangerous overtaking.’
She said: 'We are doing all we can to get Britain moving and boost growth. This change will do exactly that and save our haulage industry millions.'
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The current limits for HGVs were introduced about 50 years ago and needed to be updated, given improved vehicle technology, the Minister added.
Long tailbacks on country roads have been blamed for causing accidents as drivers try to overtake.
Studies suggest car drivers will stay behind trucks travelling at 50mph, but will try to overtake if the lorry is going much slower.
Transport Minister Claire Perry said the change will remove a 20mph difference between cars and lorries
The move has been welcomed by both drivers groups and hauliers associations, who believe it will save firms thousands of pounds in petrol costs.
It comes after a survey found 32 per cent of drivers admitted to speeding or dangerous driving on country roads.
Many of those questioned by road safety charity Brake said they had risked their safety by overtaking, with others saying they had narrowly missed walkers or cyclists.
The charity found there was widespread support for a reduction on the speed limits on cars in country lanes.
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