HGVs face fast lane ban

The government is considering changing the law to prohibit all HGVs over 3.5 tonnes from using the fast lanes of motorways, and restricting their speed to 60mph.

The Department of Transport claims that the traffic laws must be simplified as there is a disparity between new HGVs that are limited to 56mph electronically, and older vehicles which are still capable of 70mph.

Under current legislation, unrestricted HGVs between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes are permitted to use the outside lane while newer, speed limited vehicles are not. The Department of Transport's proposals would end that practice, and set a blanket speed limit of 60mph for all HGVs over 3.5 tonnes.