What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Why do HGVs insist on overtaking each other on motorways?
In response to "NH" (Honest John, 5 January), what purpose is served by one 40 tonne, 56 mph vehicle spending five minutes to overtake an identical behemoth that is only able to manage 55.7 mph on a two lane road? Why does the driver of the slower vehicle not touch his brakes to facilitate the overtaker? Why must they arrive five minutes earlier accompanied by the carbon footprint of many delayed motorists?
Asked on 16 February 2013 by JW, Halstead
Answered by
Honest John
Driver's hours and HGV speed restrictions are why. This is a form of protest, likened to "working to rule". If an HGV driver does not reach his destination within his drivers hours he has to pull over and rest, wasting his time, losing income and depriving his family of his company. The answer is to abolish specific limits for HGVs. Some companies will still speed restrict their HGVs for reasons of fuel economy. Others will regard time as more important. But it will mean that faster trucks can overtake slower trucks, get out of your way and get your food to you while its still fresh.
Similar questions
What is the law on 3.5-tonne and 7.5-tonne gross box vehicles in relation to motorway third lane use? The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes must not be used (except in prescribed circumstances)...
I am a fruit farmer and have a 2004 Renault Master van for making deliveries. I farm as a partnership with my wife and the van is registered to me personally. Its gross weight is rated as 3.5 tonnes alone...
You recently published a letter from a driver wanting to know at what speed maximum fuel efficiency was achieved on the motorway. Your reply correctly stated that 50-55mph was too slow as it hindered HGVs...
.jpg)
