Observer wrote:
IanH wrote:
Two accidents I dealt with in the early hours of this morning involved Class one HGV drivers. They both made foolish mistakes and are likely to be facing at least Sec3 prosecution. Their manner of driving would have been explained much more readily if they had admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. Their contorted attempts to explain their action (or inaction) has not helped them.
Do you consider that speed limiters on HGVs contribute to driver 'sleepiness', Ian? And is your view shared by trafpol colleagues?
I'm sure they do, and I'm pretty sure most of my colleagues think they do. I don't think there is any real doubt about it. I've no real comparative experience to draw on as 1994 predates my traffic experience.
On this point I've never really thought otherwise. Where my viewpoint has moved is that previously I believed this negativity would have been quickly counterbalanced by the positive effects of keeping a limit on the vehicle momentum. This argument holds less and less value when actively considered and applied to real life situations.
I'm sure Paul has a graph to indicate HGV fatalities pre and post 1994 (The year when limiters were introduced and backdated to 88 models). This would provide clear indication of the positive or negative effect of the limiter. I have tried to find more data, but have struggled so far.
What is the best alternative?
It's difficult to know exactly. I believe they should be limited, but perhaps to 110kph, with the 90kph speed limit still applying on the motorway but enforced by police. In this way HGVs would be able to pass each other with much more ease. They would be able to apply their motoring skills more naturally, so there would be likely to be a concentration dividend.
The downside of this is that they may simply sit at the 110kph limit unless we are around.
To combat this there could be an argument for the use of 'voluntary ISA' whereby a mechanism in the cab alerts the driver by a 'pinging' sound to indicate that his speed has gone over the limit + 5mph. This would encourage him to trim back his speed naturally.
The reason I think there needs to be a limiter is that the motorway barriers are designed to withstand up to a certain momentum. The potential for carnage outwith the motorway barriers would in my view increase considerably if limiters were removed altogether.
Thoughts.............?