56mph vans what a load of cobblers

[thexxxpostman]

well ive been on the motorways quite a bit lately and all i can say is this about our vehicles...if there only doing a max of 56 mph then im elvis more lies and bull from those at the top

[mrlovepantsuk]

the law doesnt come in until january.

[freespeech]

well ive been on the motorways quite a bit lately and all i can say is this about our vehicles...if there only doing a max of 56 mph then im elvis more lies and bull from those at the top

Don't forget that a car speedo would likely show about 60-62 mph for a "true" 56 mph and that most vehicles would only have the cheap limiters that stop you "powering" above 56 mph (ie weight downhill would over ride this).

[andy2007]

well ive been on the motorways quite a bit lately and all i can say is this about our vehicles...if there only doing a max of 56 mph then im elvis more lies and bull from those at the top

Don't forget that a car speedo would likely show about 60-62 mph for a "true" 56 mph and that most vehicles would only have the cheap limiters that stop you "powering" above 56 mph (ie weight downhill would over ride this).

Tachographs have to be accurate, and so do the limiters. So when they say 56, you are actually doing 56MPH. That's why if you get stuck behind a Lorry on a dual carriageway, it sometimes looks as if they are doing 60MPH. It just means that your car's speedo is out by 4MPH.

While we are on the subject. Does anyone know why commercial vehicles have their speedo checked as part of their MOT, but private vehicles don't?
If there's a risk of the accuracy deteriorating on commercial vehicles, then surely there is the same risk with other vehicles. Ironically, an inaccurate speedo isn't a defence against a speeding offence, and will actually get you another offence as well!!!!!

[wdo1256]

The 56mph is only part of the story.

They forget to mention that the real reason that they can't get the mail on time is because we no longer have any night time staff at D.O and RM was reliant on drivers doing overtime by working 50 - 60 hours per week. Under the EEC they can only do 48 hours per week.

[Big Daz]

Dont forget double decker trailers, which mean earlier mail runs now leave with later mail runs.


If you have 3 runs then it stands to reason that the 1st one would be cut out when using double deckers.


Why cant RM be honest and say sorry boys and girls and say its things they are doing and stop hiding behind EU law on 56 mph!

[simply_the_best]

Why cant RM be honest and say sorry boys and girls and say its things they are doing and stop hiding behind EU law on 56 mph!

Royal Mail and honesty mate, thats a laugh, biggest bunch of liars from the very top right down to their DOM's, i think it is an essential if you want to go places with RM

[smudger54]

The actual law for HGV's is still 60mph (never been changed check the highway code) but the 56 limit was originally self imposed by the haulage industry itself some years ago by supermarket company's haulage due to "economical aspects" its only now becoming EU law.

The biggest changes are due soon:
Digital tacho's less chance to fiddle runs and time for management as its all recorded onto a PC.
The current reduction in weekend breaks of 24hrs or 36hrs are due to change- no 24hr but only a 36hr with those remaining 9hrs be added to the standard 45hrs the following weekend giving you a 52hr break.
Working time is classed as:
* driving;
* loading/unloading;
* training that is part of normal work and is part of the commercial operation;
* assisting passengers boarding/disembarking from vehicle;
* cleaning, maintenance of vehicle;
* work intended to ensure safety of vehicle and its cargo and passengers (e.g. monitoring loading and unloading - including daily defect check and report);
* administrative formalities or work linked to legal or regulatory obligations directly linked to the specific transport operations under way.
b) time devoted to other activities:
* time during which the mobile worker cannot freely dispose of his/her time and is required to be at the workstation (typically this means the driver's cab - but see glossary for fuller definition of this and other terms) ready to take up normal work, with certain tasks associated with being on duty (e.g. working in the warehouse, or in an office or doing other activities for the employer);
* waiting periods where the foreseeable duration is not known in advance, by the mobile worker, either before departure or just before the start of the period in question.
More than 10 hours work at night can only be performed, if there is a relevant agreement in place. The amount of working time that can be performed is still restricted by the minimum rest requirements under European drivers' hours rules.
The basic rights and protections that the Regulations provide are:
*a limit of an average of 48 hours a week which a worker can be required to work (though workers can choose to work more if they want to).
*a limit of an average of 8 hours work in 24 which nightworkers can be required to work.
*a right for night workers to receive free health assessments.
*a right to 11 hours rest a day.
*a right to a day off each week.
*a right to an in-work rest break if the working day is longer than 6 hours.
*a right to 4 weeks paid leave per year.

I don't admit to knowing it all on the law but as a CPC National/International and ex fleet manager for a general haulage firm outside before coming to RM as a driver (wanted an easy life ) it does have its advantages in telling boss's "sorry cant do that its illegal" If you have any doubts about what your entighled to do as a driver just go to the DOT website its a good ref point and just quote the relevant bits to your boss, they cringe like hell

[Jonboy]

Can 600cf 0r 740cf vehicles be limited to 56mph when no warning information is displayed to joe public on rear of Vehicle, denoting the decrease of speed to other drivers?

[smudger54]

Can 600cf 0r 740cf vehicles be limited to 56mph when no warning information is displayed to joe public on rear of Vehicle, denoting the decrease of speed to other drivers?

From 1st January 2008, VOSA approved action means all vans and trucks weighing over 3.5 tonnes must get a restrictor fitted and will be limited to 56mph plus an outside lane ban, but there is no legal requirement to display it for the public.

[andy2007]

The Public should know by now anyway. There has been enough warning about this, and they still have over a month before it comes in.

Besides. Why would they need any warning?
You should expect slow moving vehicles in the first two lanes anyway, as even cars can get stuck behind a truck in the middle lane.

[freespeech]

The actual law for HGV's is still 60mph (never been changed check the highway code) but the 56 limit was originally self imposed by the haulage industry itself some years ago by supermarket company's haulage due to "economical aspects" its only now becoming EU law. [/b]

I think you'll find that 56 mph came in when EU law required tachographs to be fitted and calibrated to 90 kph (56 mph). Remember most European countries measure speed in kph so the "loss" of 4 mph is just in the conversion. On some coaches you will see a 100 sign which denotes the same restriction but at a slightly higher speed.

I've often wondered about the 60 mph limit on motorways for LGV's as opposed to the 56 mph tacho limit. Don't know the reason for it.

[k979aaa]

This 56 mph is a load of cobblers it is about knocking the delivery time to passed 10:00 in the morning so single mother's and student's and part timer's can forfill the early morning comitment's ie droping kid's off at school haveing a sleep in the morning a later start than a normal job. They will not let you leave your office before 09:45 if they do now just wait till after the vote!.