So following this lorry drivers logic there seems little point in raising the limit for HGVs at all unless they are going to be doing the same 60mph that other road users are doing. An HGV traveling at 50mph just takes longer to pass than one traveling at 40mph so creates even more danger.

That would be a consequence that will probably be totally missed by the people making the decisions So the optimum would possibly slow them down to let's say 20MPH to make overtaking less hazardous than it is at present

Except that the art of overtaking appears to have been lost, and the HGV would be followed by a queue of cars also travelling at 20mph, not leaving enough gaps between them to overtake safely without overtaking all of them.

Just goes to show. That consequence was totally missed by the person who made the previous post to yours

Of course banning them from being on the road altogether would work, albeit a little counter productive
Lets face it 40 mph is a little tardy. Technology has moved on a bit and modern trucks are significantly safer than some of the old bangers that are allowed to drive at the national speed limit.

I was under the impression that part of the reason for a lower speed limit on heavier vehicles was because of increased damage to roads with higher speeds.
I have no evidence or links to back this up, however, so it's quite possible that I'm talking out of my posterior. I'd be very happy to be proved wrong (I learn stuff that way!).
Even if this is true, of course, road construction (at least on main roads) has presumably improved along with advances in truck construction and safety - so this may no longer be relevant...
{shrug}

In my 3.5 ton motorhome I have no restiction on single lane roads but rarely drive above 50mph. When towing my car the limit drops to 50mph and I probably average around 45mph only occasionally aproaching the limit.

I am happy with these limits for me but think artics could be relaxed a little to 45mph.

Tim
Navigon on Android mobile(s) & tablet
Navigon 4350max + POI-Warner

I drive in to Lincolnshire on a regular basis and the roads with National Speed Limit are a joke, combining two classes of vehicles on the same road with different speed limits is without doubt contributing to the high accident rate.
Switch from National Speed limit to 50MPH and I am sure the accident rate will reduce, the A15 and A17 don't have many spots suitable for safe overtaking - Mike

Be careful what you wish for - many rural A and B roads have had their speed lmits reduced to 50mph for cars and bikes by councils which now have powers to do so. Imagine what would happen if HGVs had their nationally regulated speed limit increased to 45 or 50mph.