Govt announce increased speed limits.

sh0597

AdrianC wrote: »

Nope, sorry, you're going to have to expand on the logic there...

Surely if the speed limit is increased then logically there will be corners where the HGV will have to slow down, and they don't like slowing down. I'm guessing there was some reason for it being 40mph before.

AdrianC

sh0597 wrote: »

Surely if the speed limit is increased then logically there will be corners where the HGV will have to slow down, and they don't like slowing down.

So you're assuming that an increased speed limit automatically means an increase in careless - or dangerous - driving? Interesting logic...

I'm guessing there was some reason for it being 40mph before.

Go back to the 1960s, when it was set, and ask 'em...

skivenov

Because back then trucks tended to have drum brakes all round, and not necessarily on all the trailer axles. Now they have air brakes, various safety aids, and normally disc brakes on all the axles, including the trailer.

I have been told that a modern artic can stop faster from speed than an empty transit van. I don't know if it's true or not, but I can see it being plausible.

Quiet_Spark

almillar wrote: »

With the unfortunate exception of motorbikes, the faster you go, the safer you are.

Rubbish.

The faster you travel, the more kinetic energy you generate and hence it will hurt more when you come to that sudden stop.

As has already been said on this thread, It's not speed that maims or kills but rather it is the inappropriate use of speed that causes problems.

AdrianC

skivenov wrote: »

I have been told that a modern artic can stop faster from speed than an empty transit van. I don't know if it's true or not, but I can see it being plausible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ridS396W2BY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSQSueFrxzI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3fvROZgfoA
Impressive, huh?

And bear in mind that compared to cars the main truck fleet tends to be fairly young, because of emission regs (especially the London LEZ) and the mileage they do, so this kind of tech will get out there very quickly indeed.

skivenov

Thanks for that, certainly wouldn't want to be behind that truck doing an emergency stop in an empty van when. :eek:

jase1

sh0597 wrote: »

Surely if the speed limit is increased then logically there will be corners where the HGV will have to slow down.

Only crap drivers assume that they must travel at the same speed no matter what the road conditions are.

40mph monospeeders are far more dangerous in this regard than professional HGV drivers, who generally know exactly how their vehicle will respond around twisting roads.

AdrianC

skivenov wrote: »

Thanks for that, certainly wouldn't want to be behind that truck doing an emergency stop in an empty van when. :eek:

I think I'd be praying that whoever loaded the trailer had strapped it all down PROPERLY.

londonTiger

I think it's sensible - its a right pain to have to constantly weave from lane 1 & 2. If the hgvs drove at a more sensible speed you can just tuck in behind and puit the cruise control on not faff around with all the lane changes.

photome

londonTiger wrote: »

I think it's sensible - its a right pain to have to constantly weave from lane 1 & 2. If the hgvs drove at a more sensible speed you can just tuck in behind and puit the cruise control on not faff around with all the lane changes.

I change lanes constantly on dual carriageways (assuming thats what you mean between lane 1 and 2) I never thought of it as a faff!!

Its single carriageways where the limit will be changed so will make no difference to your faffing