MSP calls for more roads in Scotland to pilot 50mph for lorries
Highlands & Islands MSP and road safety campaigner, David Stewart, who championed the introduction of the 50mph HGV speed limit on the A9, with the support of local trucker, Conor McKenna, has questioned why the speed limit for HGVs in England and Wales has been increased across the board from 40mph to 50mph, yet in Scotland the only pilot is on the A9 between Inverness and Perth.
He has called for a re-think and as a compromise has suggested a second pilot be introduced on the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.
Speaking this morning, David Stewart said: Along with Conor McKenna and other local truckers, we launched the A9 pilot 50mph campaign, on 3 December 2012. On 28 October 2014 the pilot went live.
“I fully realise that there are those who think increasing the speed limit for HGVs is an unsafe measure, but the fact is that research has shown that it is the opposite. What is unsafe is long tailbacks following HGVs travelling at 40mph.
“Yes, HGVs should pull over, but economics dictate that goods need to get from A to B in a set time. HGVs cannot possibly pull over every time there are a few cars behind them, so frustration comes to the forefront, the red mist comes down and driver behaviour takes a turn for the worse and they undertake a manoeuvre that is not safe.
“I am always now highlighting the dangers of frustration. I am in discussions with the NFU about working with their members to address this issue also in relation to slow moving agricultural vehicles. In that respect, I have written to the Transport Minister and Transport Scotland about the scarcity of laybys on the A96 between Inverness and Keith.
NFU Scotland’s Highland Regional Chairman Jim Whiteford, from Tain, said: “As operators of slow moving agricultural machinery, farmers have an important role to play in road safety. To avoid queues building up and frustration levels rising, we ask farmers to consider pulling in – when it is safe and legal to do so - and allowing faster moving traffic to pass, re-joining the road safely after the queue of traffic has gone by.
“If we are to improve road safety, it is a reasonable request that all busy roads, like the A96, have a ready number of suitable places for large, agricultural vehicles and trailers to pull into. We welcome David Stewart bringing this matter to the attention of Transport Scotland and the minister responsible.”
David Stewart went on to say: “The fact remains that although I am proposing HGVs do 50mph on single carriageways, drivers of such vehicles would have to drive to the conditions on the roads and at an appropriate speed in relation to arising hazards. Increased HGV speed would cut congestion, reduce dangerous overtaking, and reduce emissions. We also have to remember that HGV speed limits were set back in the 60’s and the development and safety features of modern day heavy goods vehicle are a world away from that era.”
