Lorry Overtaking Ban to Start on M42

Lorries are to be banned from overtaking on a three-mile stretch of the M42 to cut congestion in an 18-month pilot project by the Highways Agency. Starting on 10 October, the scheme is supposed to cut traffic jams and the risk of accidents caused by slow-moving vehicles between the northbound junctions 10 and 11.

But the Road Haulage Association in the region said banning lorries overtaking was not a way to reduce congestion. The restriction affects lorries of 7.5 tonnes and over on the long uphill section which is only two lanes wide.

Iftikhar Mir, Highways Agency performance manager, said: "Heavy vehicles slow down on the uphill slope and when they try to overtake each other, it can block the motorway and slow down the traffic for several miles.

"Drivers of vehicles caught up in the resulting queues become frustrated and that leads to an increased risk of accidents and further traffic delays."

But haulier Dylan Kent, boss of Draycote Continental in Rugby, said it was a bad idea as limiting lorries to the inside lane could cause pile ups on the motorway.

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Read The Arguments For and Against
Original Story

Comments

[Kevin Krause]

Nobody should use lanes other than lane 1 except when overtaking: I've often seen lorries overtaking others extremely gradually - taking sometimes many minutes, and even ending abortively at times when the driver being 'overtaken' decides to accelerate slightly.
On some european motorways there is a minimum speed limit on overtaking lanes on uphill stretches - this should be adopted here as well.
Keeping lorries in lane 1 shouldn't increase the danger to anyone on the road - as long as drivers drive correctly and concentrate sufficiently.

[Adrian]

I use the motorway network almost every day, as a car driver, and I agree with the RHA that lorries are not the major cause for congestion increasing.

Building more roads, adding lanes to motorways, and generally tinkering around will not solve a major long term problem of congestion.

It is clear that road tolls, and taxing car use, is the clear road the government will take in the long term. Pardon the pun.

[Craig]

I use motorways and dual carriageways everyday and spend a lot of time on them as car driver.
It is increasingly frustrating when these lorry drivers decide to ridiculously try to overtake at the best of times nevermind when commonsense suddenly disappears and they think they're driving a car and try to overtake going up hill.
As a everyday motorway user doing 200miles plus, I know for a fact that lorries overtaking are the biggest cause of congestion and crashes on motorways and dual carriageways. I see it everyday!
There is a section on the A14 that as no lorry overtaking restriction, but these lorry drivers seem to think they are above the rules and regulations and decide to ignore the restrictions anyway.
I dont understand the mentallity of lorry drivers when they decide to overtake (especially going uphill). Yes i know some lorries are heavier than others due to cargo etc. but they are on a tachograph whcih records there driven mileage and ultimately restricts the distant they can drive. So overtaking is an absolute waste of time and effort and doesn't get them to where they are going any faster.
Lorries should be restricted to lane 1 on all roads.
As you can see by this, i feel very strong on this subject and it is based on fact of my own observations from everyday driving.