4 ms·

Not only does the UK have a speed limit for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (60mph, enforced by a speed limiter) but we have drivers' hours limits. It is somewhat com

by mjlee 11y ago

Not only does the UK have a speed limit for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (60mph, enforced by a speed limiter) but we have drivers' hours limits. It is somewhat complex (https://www.gov.uk/drivers-hours/overview https://www.gov.uk/drivers-hours/overview) but the gist is we take human factors into account. The driver is personally liable and the fines could easily be more than income from the day's driving.

viraptor 11y ago
Did the speed change recently? I remember most big trucks doing precisely 70mph on M4. (everyday commute)
- Svip 11y ago
  No, if a lorry is doing more than 96 km/h (older) or 90 km/h (newer), then they are messing with the limiter and basically putting it out of function. A lot of lorry companies do this, unfortunately, to "comply" with the driving hours (or beat competition). So to ensure their drivers get further, they install magnets on their transmissions to prevent the Tachograph (and thus the limiter) from correctly reading the lorry's speed. Indeed, this tactic is also used to trick the Tachograph into thinking the driver is taking a rest while he is actually driving. The driving hours are strictly enforced by police across Europe, and if the printout doesn't match the law, the driver and his employer stands to pay a huge fine. And both may also stand to lose their licence, depending on the scope of the crime. (If they find magnets on the lorry, you can bet they are losing their livelihood.)
Svip 11y ago
That's actually a EU standard. Modern lorries are limited to 90 km/h (55 mph) today, to comply with EU standards. In most European countries, lorries are limited to 80 km/h on motorways, with a few (including the UK) going fully to the limiter. Technically, the speed limit for lorries is 96 km/h on UK motorways, but newer lorries won't be able to drive that fast because of their limiter.

by mjlee 11y ago

viraptor 11y ago

Did the speed change recently? I remember most big trucks doing precisely 70mph on M4. (everyday commute)

Svip 11y ago
No, if a lorry is doing more than 96 km/h (older) or 90 km/h (newer), then they are messing with the limiter and basically putting it out of function. A lot of lorry companies do this, unfortunately, to "comply" with the driving hours (or beat competition). So to ensure their drivers get further, they install magnets on their transmissions to prevent the Tachograph (and thus the limiter) from correctly reading the lorry's speed. Indeed, this tactic is also used to trick the Tachograph into thinking the driver is taking a rest while he is actually driving. The driving hours are strictly enforced by police across Europe, and if the printout doesn't match the law, the driver and his employer stands to pay a huge fine. And both may also stand to lose their licence, depending on the scope of the crime. (If they find magnets on the lorry, you can bet they are losing their livelihood.)

Svip 11y ago

That's actually a EU standard. Modern lorries are limited to 90 km/h (55 mph) today, to comply with EU standards. In most European countries, lorries are limited to 80 km/h on motorways, with a few (including the UK) going fully to the limiter. Technically, the speed limit for lorries is 96 km/h on UK motorways, but newer lorries won't be able to drive that fast because of their limiter.