http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: 80% of HGVs breaking the law en Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:58:45 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9499#post-100489 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:26:16 +0000 Tulyar 100489@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A similar issue arises on the A75 (as it does on the A55) Next time a truck passes you at 80mph on the motorway just check the registration plates. Breaking the rules can cut up to a day off the trip time, and for some operators the occasional fine is an acceptable premium for the improved performance. </p> <p>Tom McCartney - now retired as Traffic Commissioner (Northeast) remarked that he saw an unusually small number of drivers (and operators) called in before him for bad driving and operating practices, given what he sensed from the Police reports and court listings. Joan Aitkin (TC Scotland) does have a reporting line, and would surely be interested in hearing of poor operators and drivers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9499#post-100478 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:55:11 +0000 Bhachgen 100478@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Given the widely quoted statistics around the high percentage of serious injuries and fatalities among vulnerable road users caused in collisions involving HGVs, this story is particularly disturbing.</p> <p><em>Spot checks on heavy goods vehicles on the A55 in north Wales found the majority breaking the law, say police.</p> <p>A total of 35 out of 43 HGVs (80%) were found in breach of a range of laws from overloaded and defective vehicles to a driver without a valid licence.</em></p> <p>I make that over 81%...</p> <p>Full story: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-21436291">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-21436291</a></p> <p>What the article doesn't mention, which may be pertinent, is that the A55 is the main road used by vehicles for Holyhead ferry port. It's likely that at least some, and perhaps a majority, of the vehicles checked would have been non-UK registered. Not casting aspersions against the truckers of any particular nation, but I'm sure the rules and regulations, and their enforcement, will vary between countries. </p>