DfT evaluation of increased speed limits for HGVs in England and Wales proves positive
First-year evaluation of the HGV speed limit increases confirms industry view that modest increases improve road safety and operating efficiency.
The Department for Transport has just published the first-year evaluation of the HGV speed limit increases in England and Wales which came into effect in April 2015.
Commenting, RHA director of policy Jack Semple said: “The increases followed years of lobbying by the Road Haulage Association and were strongly welcomed by the industry and we firmly believe that the industry has taken a responsible approach to the new limits.”
The evaluation is one year into a three-year study on the impact on road safety of the change to HGV speed limits. Jack Semple continued: “The study still has some time to run, and early data should be treated with caution. However early results have not identified negative road safety impacts. Indeed the research so far confirms the industry view that modestly raising the speed limit would both improve road safety and operating efficiency.
“There have also been clear benefits in terms of increased compliance and a reduction on the pressure on drivers and operators to stay within what were unrealistic speed limits. In addition we can reasonably assume a reduced frustration for car drivers caused by HGVs moving at unreasonably slow speeds,” he said.
A link to the published information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/increased-speed-limit-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-over-75-tonnes-initial-summary-report/evaluation-of-the-national-hgv-speed-limit-increase-in-england-and-wales-year-1-interim-summary-september-2016#next-steps
