Post date: 30-Apr-2015 16:17:07

The speed limit for lorries on single carriageway country roads will be upped to 50mph under Government plans to stop dangerous overtaking and cut congestion. Heavy goods vehicles - weighing more than 7.5 tonnes - are currently restricted to 40mph but this will rise from 2015, says the Department of Transport (DfT).

Lorries may also get a speed increase on dual carriageways with a DfT consultation launched to raise the limit on these roads to 60mph from 50mph. These changes would see lorries travelling at the same speeds as coaches and caravans. Ministers said the current 20mph difference between other vehicles and lorries is leading to hold-ups and causing drivers to carry out dangerous overtaking manouevres, especially on narrow country roads.

The single carriageway changes will come into force from early 2015 and bring England and Wales into line with other European countries such as Denmark and Norway. If the consultation for dual carriageways gets the go ahead, the laws will change at the same time but until then, the existing limits continue. Geoff Dunning, from the Road Haulage Association, said the move will be supported by hauliers and their drivers. He added: "The current limit is long out of date and the frustration it generates causes unnecessary road safety risks."

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