Why do some delivery drivers think it's OK to go SO slow?

[clancyblob]

Some Tesco and Asda lorry drivers seem to think it's OK to go 35 - 40mph on a busy trunk road just so they are not early at their next drop. Why don't they just park up? I have often had to crawl behind one of these leaving Norwich at 5.30 or 6pm, and they've dawdled at 35mph for 20 miles or more with a huge tailback of cars unable to pass because the road is single carriageway with many bends. I don't think they'd like it if they were LATE and I decided to drive in front of them at 35 in a 60 zone! Round here it always seems to be Tesco and Asda waggons.

[derekpara]

How do you know that are driving at those speeds for the reason you suggest ? From what I know, most commercial drivers are on a very tight schedule.

The possible answer to your question is that the vehicle(s) is fully loaded, controlled by a governor to a max of 57 mph - so if they are on an incline that speed would be considerably reduced.

[New Judge]

And, of course, speed limits are the maximum that should be attained, not the minimum. Too many drivers become impatient if they cannot travel at (or usually above) the speed limit. The choice of speed travelled is up to each individual driver (subject to the proviso that they do not drive without due consideration for other road users).

[kempie]

You seem to be unaware that the maximum permitted speed for an LGV (HGV) on a single carriageway road is 40mph.

[ChuckFickens]

Probably because the official speed limit for HGVs (now LGVs) and most vans on a busy trunk road which I's assume to be a single carriageway A road is 40mph

[ChuckFickens]

LOL kempie :)

[DebsyDoo]

The law states that an HGV can only travel at 40mph on a single carriageway.

[marcus5771]

As the driver of a large goods vehicle on todays busy roads, you will have a responsibility for the safety of yourself and all other road users. To become a professional LGV driver you must possess the necessary skills required to handle your vehicle with safety and to adopt the correct attitude towards everyone else on the roads.

[marcus5771]

Also driving a large lorry I drive to the road conditions. A single carriageway other traffic passing by 35 in a 40 zone I would do the same not knowing whats round the bend. You cant say I will do the Max speed the road sighs allow me. Whats round the next bend. Must go the Max speed must and if my load get less as my deliveries get smaller. They are in cages all carried at the front by a restrainning bar leaving less weight on the trailer wheels.

[gordyagusta]

I think your all missing the point here... regardless of the legal limit that hgv's at permitted to travel at on single carriage roads, its the fact that when ever you plan a car journey you take in to account that it will take you x amount of time to get there, to get stuck behind an hgv legally plodding along gives you a situation where the following traffic gets more and more frustrated, leading to possibly risky overtaking manouvres and that the hgv driver is not giving or showing consideration to other road users by not periodically pulling over to allow built up traffic to pass...

common sense really...

[TWR]

Just to add, Tesco, Asda,& the likes stipulate to their drivers including agency drivers that the speed limit must be adhered to at all times this is a lot to do with the reputation of the stores, I an an Ex HGV 1 driver & know people get annoyed getting stuck behind HGVs but to loose your licence for speeding intern looses your living, ( Your licence is taken off you.

[karmgirl]

lorry drivers can't win, they stick to speed limit, people moan they are too slow, they go faster they are breaking the law.

They can't pull over cus they have a tacho recording their movements

[lesblue]

What a ridiculous farkin' question. It's not serious, is it? Tell me its a wind-up.

Lorry drivers drive at 40 mph on a single carriageway because THE LAW DEEMS THAT IS THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED SPEED. ********.

[Panic Button]

It's also surprisingly hard to find a stopping place on a lot of these roads that is big enough and stable enough for a heavy lorry.

[THECORBYLOON]

clancyblob do you not hate it when folk try to spoil a good old mump by clouding the issue wi boring things such as reasoned arguments and legal requirements?

[dot.hawkes]

none of the above is as annoying as travelling to work in at a snails pace behind a JCB 9is that spelt tight?), why do they try to move the things between 8am and 8.30am? most construction workers are already waiting somewhere for them to turn up!!!!!!!!!!

[clancyblob]

No need to be abusive, no.knowledge. I think I'm a reasonable driver, try to be patient & considerate yet make good progress. I'm grateful to the more measured ABers for the info provided. I have spoken to a Tesco driver, he said he has to arrive for delivery at a set time or he's in trouble if early. He went round a roundabout 3 times to kill a bit of time and let a few people past! Another driver (husband of a friend) said if he parks up he loses money as tacho shows him resting up. The road is the A146 southbound. Single carriageway, a few bends but not a bad A road. I drive all day everyday round here for my job. Doesn't seem to be an issue with all the other wagons, of which there a many, just the store deliveries I mentioned.

[clancyblob]

Nah, no.knowledge. Some people had a pop at me on Answerbank! Still, no slow lorries when I was coming home tonight.......