New speed limits for HGVs

Britain’s motorists have been told to expect a change on the roads, as the speed limit for lorries is to be increased.

From spring next year, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will able to drive at 60mph on the nation’s dual carriageways; an increase of 20mph on the existing limit.

The move follows another Government announcement earlier this year, when it was revealed that HGVs over 7.5 tonnes will be allowed to travel at up to 50mph on single lane carriageways.

The new rules have been praised by the AA, who hail it as “a common sense move” in light of an AA/Populus poll which showed that 81% of drivers did not know the legal speed limit for lorries on single carriageway main roads.

At present, a higher speed limit exists for large vehicles such as buses and coaches, leading to increased frustration and road traffic accidents. The government believes that these speed increases reflect the improved technology in today’s lorries and modern-day transport networks, and will make the roads safer.

The President of the AA, Edmund King, said: “This 20mph speed differential can lead to bunching and dangerous overtaking manoeuvres. We welcome the plans to allow trucks to legally travel at 50mph on these roads to end this frustrating, dangerous, historic anomaly."