40 mph speed limit?

[bmcecosse]

Am I correct in thinking that an HGV (bl00dy big articulated thing) is limited to 40 mph when driving on a single carriageway 'A' road??? And if so - why am I closely tailgated (and I do mean CLOSE) when doing 50 - especially when there is no point going faster when there is line of traffic 100 yds ahead also doing 50...... Or are they allowed to do 60 everywhere??

[LouiseM]

Speed limits have changed Roy. Since April HGV's can now do 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways in England & Wales. Scottish speeds have remained the same except for the M9/A9 trunk road where HGV's can do 50mph: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/sdsi/2014/9780111023433

[bmcecosse]

Well - i'm in Scotland! We're all a bit slow up here... No doubt 'Nickers' will sort it out someday - but like everything else she fails to do - not holding my breath... Didn't know the limits had changed in England - thanks for that!

[olderisbetter]

Sadly you get a few morons driving with no patience in the big trucks , i just drive a bit slower and watch them scream till their choclate yorkies melt.

[Blaketon]

I thought governors were set to 56mph?

[sid]

i'm an artic driver Roy,and we have a few morons in our industry,just like any other.as for the tail-gating..i blame ABS brakes as drivers think they can stop on a sixpence now,unlike the old days of hammering along at 70-80 mph in our F88 Volvo's and the like,when you'd stamp on the brakes,close your eyes and hope for the best!

[HarryMango]

I thought governors were set to 56mph?

This is where (currently) European & British laws conflict - most British lorries have to run to European regulations which state they must be limited to 56mph but the national speed limit in Eng/Wales is 60mph for a dual carriageway or motorway.

Even on a modest descent a loaded truck will over run the speed limiter & try to run away unless checked

Rog