| 2 April 2004
The Warwickshire Casualty Reduction Partnership is writing to local companies that operate goods vehicles this week to ask for their support in making the roads safer for all users. The Partnership is asking the companies to remind their drivers of the importance of observing speed limits at all times. The request is in response to the high number of collisions involving goods vehicles and the large number complaints received from local communities regarding speed abuse by goods vehicles.
Evidence shows that many drivers of goods vehicles choose to exceed speed limits. A recent survey of vehicle speeds undertaken by the Department for Transport showed that 55% of 2-axle heavy goods vehicles exceeded 30mph speed limits, with 23% exceeding the limit by more than 5mph. On major non-built up single carriageway roads, 68% of articulated heavy goods vehicles were exceeding their 40mph limit (15% by more than 10mph).
In 2003 alone, there were 13 goods vehicles involved in collisions in which people lost their lives in Warwickshire with excessive speed judged to have been a factor in 46% of these crashes. This suggests that many of these collisions were avoidable. There were a further 70 goods vehicles involved in crashes in which people were seriously injured and 344 in which people received slight injuries.
Lower speed limits apply to goods vehicles and cars towing in areas where the National Speed Limit applies and on motorways. For example, heavy goods vehicles weighing more that 7.5tonnes are subject to a maximum speed of 40mph on single carriageway roads. The lower limits apply because heavier vehicles have longer stopping distances and because the additional weight and momentum of these vehicles has the potential to cause absolute carnage if they are involved in a crash.
The complaints that the partnership receives from communities regarding speed abuse by goods vehicles focus on their fears regarding the potential outcome of one of these vehicles losing control or not being able to stop in time, as well as concerns over noise, vibration, the impact of updraft on pedestrians and reckless driving that puts others at risk such as tailgating and inappropriate overtaking.
Chief Superintendent Jon Bond, Chair of Warwickshire Casualty Reduction Partnership said “Speeding is the biggest single contributory factor of road accidents and accounts for approximately 1,200 people losing their lives on Britain’s roads every year so it really is important that people drive at an appropriate speed that is within the speed limit. Drivers of goods vehicles have a particular responsibility to obey speed limits because of the scale of damage that their vehicles can cause if something goes wrong. The drivers should also recognise the responsibility they have towards the communities that they drive through because of the noise, vibration and fear that they can create when they are being driven too quickly.”
Some drivers of goods vehicles are under the misapprehension that outside of built up areas speed cameras can only detect cars and motorbikes exceeding the speed limit. The reality is that both fixed and mobile speed cameras can and are used to detect larger vehicles when they exceed the limit.”
Jon Bond continued “I hope that goods vehicle drivers take notice of our request because they do have a key part to play in making our roads safe for all road users. The last thing that I want to see is professional drivers losing their livelihood and companies losing experienced staff because drivers have had their licence removed due to speeding. However, speeding is the biggest single contributory factor of road accidents and too many people are losing their lives or being seriously injured as a result of people driving too fast and this is a situation that cannot be allowed to continue.”
The Partnership is also asking car drivers to play their part by taking extra care when they are close to goods vehicles. The lower speeds of goods vehicles can cause frustration to car drivers who get stuck behind one, however it is important that car drivers take great care when they want to overtake and ensure they only do so when they are absolutely certain that they will be able to complete the manoeuvre safely. Car drivers should always remember that goods vehicles have large blind spots and may not be aware that there is another vehicle behind them. A simple rule to remember is that if you are behind a goods vehicle and cannot see its mirrors, it cannot see you.
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