RE: Lorries to be banned from overtaking?
Monday 6th December 2004
Lorries to be banned from overtaking?
Pilot scheme could go ahead on the M42 next year
Lorries could be banned from overtaking in a trial on the M42 next year. The Highways Agency is hoping to set up a scheme on the West Midlands motorway that forces lorries to stay in one lane. While the idea is still in the consultation phase, if it gets the green light it could start early in 2005. if successful, it could be extended to other motorways.
The idea is to avoid the problem of one lorry overtakes the other with a miniscule speed differential, thereby blocking the motorway for miles. One a two-lane road, this means empty tarmac stretches for miles in front of the snail's pace manoeuvre. A similar scheme in the Netherlands helped increase road capacity for four per cent.
Freight operators, in the form of the Freight Transport Association (FTA), were less enthusiastic than PistonHeads readers are likely to be. FTA freight manager Colin Hagan told the Times: "This will set an alarming precedent and we are concerned that all heavy goods vehicles could be forced to travel in the same lane at the speed of the slowest."
The FTA's solution is to allow hard shoulder running, although RAC spokesperson Susie Haywood commented that hard shoulder running was "too simplistic". Supporting the M42 scheme, she said, "Motorists will certainly welcome the trial, which is not about penalising lorries but is trying to deal sensibly with a specific, limited stretch of heavily congested two-lane motorway."
Discussion
[quote=craigrevell]i think that this a great idea, but i still think that they need to punish the car driving idiots that drive at 45mph on motorways, which means the lorries have to overtake!!! They should have a minimum speed of 56mph, unless the weather becomes an issue[/quote
ditto - about bloody time - obvious as f**k to anyone who drives on a motorway that trucks overtaking causes huge tailbacks ! had all 3 lanes blocked the other day on the M1
Also a minimun speed should be implemented unless conditions dictate otherwise
ditto - about bloody time - obvious as f**k to anyone who drives on a motorway that trucks overtaking causes huge tailbacks ! had all 3 lanes blocked the other day on the M1
Also a minimun speed should be implemented unless conditions dictate otherwise
I drive the two lane strech every day to and from work, and its an absloute nightmare! the other day I sat behind a lorry for 10 miles as he tried to overtake another lorry. Every time we went down a hill he had the edge on the other lorry untill we went up the other side! It caused absloute carnage behind. This scheam works well on the continent and its about time they bought it in.
Also am I the only one who thinks the new juction where the M6 Toll and the M42 meets going south is just about the worst peice of road design I have ever seen? Someone has got there sums badly wrong on that road and needs to be taken out and shot!
Also am I the only one who thinks the new juction where the M6 Toll and the M42 meets going south is just about the worst peice of road design I have ever seen? Someone has got there sums badly wrong on that road and needs to be taken out and shot!
I'd like to see it extended to A roads as well as motor ways. The A34 is often 'blocked' by lorries trying to overtake, especially on the M40 to M4 stretch and the A1 is a problem too.
I think that thee should be an exception however if there is a large enough speed differential - a laden lorry crawling up a hill at 30 could be overtaken by an unladen HGV at 55. I believe this would be acceptable and not cause any significant tailback.
I wonder if the trial will show any significant reduction in tailbacks on the M42. I look forward to finding out.
Bob
>> Edited by Bob the Planner on Monday 6th December 12:36
I think that thee should be an exception however if there is a large enough speed differential - a laden lorry crawling up a hill at 30 could be overtaken by an unladen HGV at 55. I believe this would be acceptable and not cause any significant tailback.
I wonder if the trial will show any significant reduction in tailbacks on the M42. I look forward to finding out.
Bob
>> Edited by Bob the Planner on Monday 6th December 12:36
Ive got a problem with this, if you have a long stream of lorries which all have the safe breaking distance of 30 cm between them how are the cars supposed to enter and exit motorways etc.
I cant see lorry drivers not only living with the slow lane but also making sure that car drivers are able to slot in and out happening.
I cant see lorry drivers not only living with the slow lane but also making sure that car drivers are able to slot in and out happening.
on two lane short stretches of m-way/dual carriageway I agree with the scheme.
Elsewhere it is just a blatant attack on one section of road-users and who will be next? Vehicles travel at different speeds - sometimes the margin is big, sometimes small. Penalising the lorry driver when a muppet in a Nissan Micra can also take 3 hours to overtake a bus sounds unfair to me.
I think this government's anti-road user policies are appalling, perhaps they are all tucked up in London and don't need to use the roads, but some of us do. Some may think this is a pro-motorist move but I am too cynical and think it is the thin end of a wedge. It is probably an attempt to increase speeds on motorways so they can raise more speed camera revenue...
Elsewhere it is just a blatant attack on one section of road-users and who will be next? Vehicles travel at different speeds - sometimes the margin is big, sometimes small. Penalising the lorry driver when a muppet in a Nissan Micra can also take 3 hours to overtake a bus sounds unfair to me.
I think this government's anti-road user policies are appalling, perhaps they are all tucked up in London and don't need to use the roads, but some of us do. Some may think this is a pro-motorist move but I am too cynical and think it is the thin end of a wedge. It is probably an attempt to increase speeds on motorways so they can raise more speed camera revenue...
I heard about this on the radio the other day and my initial view was that it is yet another instance of applying unfair laws when common sense and circumstances may dictate otherwise.
But, if this relates to two-lane roads then I am perhaps more in favour of it. The bottom of the M3 is two lane for some time and has a fair amount of lorry traffic on it. Stopping them from blocking both lanes for long distances would be nice. But I still don't think it should take such draconian laws to achieve it.
What happens when the big artic comes up behind the numpty towing a caravan then? Are they allowed to overtake then, or not?
I get quite P'ed off with some of the lorry drivers' behaviour, but look at from their point of view too. They are drivers. They have a job to do. They want to pass slower vehicles. Just that they sometimes get a bit too optimistic about their ability to do so on gradients, or against speed-limiting devices...
Just another bit of victimisation really.
Agree with this and then you open the door to yet more stupid laws, which might affect you more directly next time.
But, if this relates to two-lane roads then I am perhaps more in favour of it. The bottom of the M3 is two lane for some time and has a fair amount of lorry traffic on it. Stopping them from blocking both lanes for long distances would be nice. But I still don't think it should take such draconian laws to achieve it.
What happens when the big artic comes up behind the numpty towing a caravan then? Are they allowed to overtake then, or not?
I get quite P'ed off with some of the lorry drivers' behaviour, but look at from their point of view too. They are drivers. They have a job to do. They want to pass slower vehicles. Just that they sometimes get a bit too optimistic about their ability to do so on gradients, or against speed-limiting devices...
Just another bit of victimisation really.
Agree with this and then you open the door to yet more stupid laws, which might affect you more directly next time.
Good idea, would work wonders on the A1 like many have said. Following a truck for 7 miles while it overtakes two or three trucks at 1 mph difference is pretty sad.
However, are trucks not to go slower now, on normal single carriageway A roads, effectively lowering capacity?
Seems that the government doesn't know what to do anymore.
Uh well, at least they are seeing sense with the dual carriageways and motorways now!
Dave
However, are trucks not to go slower now, on normal single carriageway A roads, effectively lowering capacity?
Seems that the government doesn't know what to do anymore.
Uh well, at least they are seeing sense with the dual carriageways and motorways now!
Dave
Lateral thinking:
Why don't the lorries have speed limiters that allow the vehicle to run up to say 65mph for five minutes every hour? The increased speed differential would allow them to pass slower lorries more quickly. The modification could be made in either the governor (fitted as an optional "extra") or the engine's EDC. Such a system has been available on the Detroit Diesel DDEC controlled engines fitted in US trucks for many years.
WLA copilote
Why don't the lorries have speed limiters that allow the vehicle to run up to say 65mph for five minutes every hour? The increased speed differential would allow them to pass slower lorries more quickly. The modification could be made in either the governor (fitted as an optional "extra") or the engine's EDC. Such a system has been available on the Detroit Diesel DDEC controlled engines fitted in US trucks for many years.
WLA copilote
rutthenut said:
Just another bit of victimisation really.
Agree with this and then you open the door to yet more stupid laws, which might affect you more directly next time.
I agree entirely. On the face of it, it seems like a good thing for the motorist. But in actuality, it's just the thin end of the wedge, yet again. Same with the smoking ban and the hunting ban.
People who support this; watch out. The next ban could affect you.
J.
Whilst I would love to see something done about this problem I agree that this is not the solution.
Where do you draw the line? 3.5 tonnes? 36 tonnes?
It would be too difficult to enforce any speed/overtaking time based rule either.
How about sending a reminder to plod about the old 'due care and attention' they so love to talk to us about when exiting a round-a-bout with 1/2 a turn of opposite on at 3am? Wouldn't that cover it?
Whilst they were at it they might even try to do something about the few idiot truckies who subscribe to the 'coming ready or not' approach to lane changes. If we can let you out without slaming on the brakes we will. otherwise wait till it's clear as we have to on slip roads when you are nose to tail in the slow lane.
Where do you draw the line? 3.5 tonnes? 36 tonnes?
It would be too difficult to enforce any speed/overtaking time based rule either.
How about sending a reminder to plod about the old 'due care and attention' they so love to talk to us about when exiting a round-a-bout with 1/2 a turn of opposite on at 3am? Wouldn't that cover it?
Whilst they were at it they might even try to do something about the few idiot truckies who subscribe to the 'coming ready or not' approach to lane changes. If we can let you out without slaming on the brakes we will. otherwise wait till it's clear as we have to on slip roads when you are nose to tail in the slow lane.
My personal view is lorries should be allowed on the roads between 8pm and 5am only. The rest of the time they are a nuisance either slowing traffic by over taking as per this article, or by accidents.
These accidents take ages to clear up usually causing hrs worth of jams and are pre-dominantly the lorry drivers fault.
These accidents take ages to clear up usually causing hrs worth of jams and are pre-dominantly the lorry drivers fault.
I don't think this law is a good idea. I am not as arrogant to think that just because I want to drive at 'X'mph there should be a law to stop others getting in my way. Fair enough I live in London and don't use motorways etc everyday, and therefore I can only sympathise with those of you who do regularly get stuck behind inconsiderate lorry drivers, but I can't remember a time when I've been stuck behind a HGV for an unreasonable period of time. I can see the benefit in an alternative measure to stop lorries travelling side by side over significant distances but I don’t think a ban on overtaking is the right option. As someone else said earlier the law would be punishing drivers simply doing their job, and we don’t need to create contempt between drivers. Also if lorry drivers are prevented from overtaking they will drive in chains and prevent other road users from using junctions thus creating more traffic jams and accidents which the government will use to support more cameras, road tolls, higher petrol tax, and other anti-car measures.
This strikes me as another example of a bored civil servant meddling with the motorist, dreaming up ideas to kick road users in the nuts and justify his/her job – feck off !!
£0.02 well spent I think.
This strikes me as another example of a bored civil servant meddling with the motorist, dreaming up ideas to kick road users in the nuts and justify his/her job – feck off !!
£0.02 well spent I think.
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff