• Speeding is the most common traffic offence committed in
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Europe, and probably the world. Arguably, one of the greatest causes of trucks speeding is congestion, particularly on motorways, where delays put impossible pressure on traffic offices to make up time on deliveries, and that pressure is pushed down the line on to the driver.
As part of Commercial Motor's focus on enforcement we have conducted a survey of speeding commercial vehicles along two of the busiest stretches of the M25 and M23 in Surrey. With the help of the Surrey police and two unmarked patrol cars we tailed one speeding vehicle after another for a total of 31/2 hours. Simply by cruising at 55-60mph (88-96kmili) and waiting for vans, trucks and coaches to overtake us, we logged the details of 21 offenders — one every 10 minutes.
Our day was spent with the men of the Godstone Traffic Centre, one of a number of police control centres dotted round the M25 and other motorways.
Using a police Ford Sierra and a VittlXhail Senator we ran 25 'silent' checks on likely candidates during the course of the day. Out of the 25 we began to tail, 21 went on to exceed the speed limit for three tenths of a mile, the minimum distance required under police procedure for an offence to be committed.
The day began in the company of PC Roy Walters who has been a traffic policeman for 13 years and is a qualified vehicle examiner.
Most accidents in Godstone's area occur between Reigate and Leatherhead on the M25, so that was where we began.
It was not long before our first candidate appeared in the rearview mirror. The artic was obviously speeding to start with, but slowed when forced to by other traffic. It proceeded to tailgate a car in lane two by no more than 11/2 car lengths: then did the same to us in lane one.
The truck was not speeding, but we agreed dangerous driving was potentially just as catastrophic, and that would have to form part of a further survey.
Seconds later we witnessed our first speeding offence. A Dutch-registered artic in Lane one was travelling at a near constant 64mph (103km/h). The truck drove at this speed for several miles.
Three more similar incidents were recorded before the driver of a MercedesBenz parcel delivery van caught our eye. The driver was wearing Walkman-style headphones and drinking tea, but he did slow down when we drove alongside.
Next came another speeding Mercedes van, clocked at 78mph (126km/h), which was followed by a coach travelling at 76mph (122krnih) behind a marked police car. We then tracked a high-profile fleet's beer lorry at a constant 66mph (106km/h), before turning our attention to the M23 and its long-standing contraflow section with its 50mph (80km/h) speed limit Many motorway accidents happen in contraflows and are usually speed-related. That's why police forces now pay particular attention to speed enforcement where there are roadworks.
OFFENDER
No sooner had we arrived at the M23 contraflow than we were presented with our first offender: an artic travelling at 62mph (100km/h) — 12mpli (19krriih) over the limit. Walters pointed out that the greatest problem with excessive speed in any contraflow is the lack of a central barrier and the excessive closing speeds that result if one vehicle wanders into the oncoming traffic.
Back on the main carriageway, another high-profile beer-fleet lorry running 4mph (fikm/h) too fast was followed by a flatbed artic doing 66mph (106km/h). A van (another Mercedes) was next clocked at 80mph (1291finih), followed by two car transporters, one at 64mph (103km/h) and the other at 66mph (106km/h). After lunch we picked up the worst offender of the day. A Renault G170 boxbodied 17-tonner which was not only travelling at 76mph (1221un/h) in lane two with lane one empty, but the driver was not paying attention to the traffic round him. Because of the excessive speed, Walters stopped the truck. We knew the driver was not paying attention because it took more than a minute for him to recognise the blue lights and two-tone horns.
The tachograph chart revealed that this truck appeared to have been running at similar speed that morning. Such evidence is inadmissible in British courts, and a police officer can only warn the driver.
We then returned to base to switch to the Vauxhall Senator video car. PC lan Lennock was to be our guide. He is trained to use the video and VASCAR (Vehicle Average Speed Calculator And Recorder) systems fitted to the car. VASCAR is not new it comprises a relatively simple time and distance recording mechanism which calculates speed. Video recording equipment is now widespread following several years of trials. Lennock explained that successful charges of dangerous driving now call for more concrete evidence. A video which can be played in court is the best way of backing a policeman's claim.
VASCAR uses two measurements to calculate speed. The first is time, recorded on an electronic stopwatch triggered manually by the police operator as he watches the vehicle pass two stationary objects. The flash of a shadow from a motorway bridge across the windscreen of the vehicle in question can be used.
The second recording is one of distance, again triggered manually, but using measurements taken from the car's calibrated mileometer. Essentially this is a more accurate version of the tachograph. The measurement can be taken when following the subject vehicle or by premeasuring the distance between two markers. The car itself can be one of the markers, or another stationary object can be used allowing the police car to watch from a distance. All that is needed is a clear line of sight Using this method, another parcel firm artic was soon stopped. The VASCAR unit had indicated an average speed of 64mph (103km/h) between two motorway bridges. Later the system was used to clock yet another Mercedes-Benz van at 74mph (119kmih) within the 50mph (80km/h) confines of the contraflow. The day was rounded off by logging a Foden eight-wheeled tipper travelling at 70mph (113krnfh) on the main carriageway,
DISBELIEVING
Although these last three offences were recorded using the VASCAR system, they could just as easily have been recorded using the video system. With video the advantage is that disbelieving drivers in either speeding or dangerous driving cases can be invited to sit in the police car and watch a replay of their driving.
The current fixed-penalty system for speeding on motorways has three grades of penalty depending on the severity of the offence.
A verbal caution may be given if the vehicle was travelling at up to lOmph (161unth) over the prescribed limit. At between 10 and 20mph (16 and 32km/h) a fixed penalty of £32 plus three penalty points on a car licence can be automatically imposed, but drivers still have the right to appeal. At between 20 and 30mph (32 and 48km/h) over the limit the driver can be reported and a summons usually follows.
Speeding statistics are rising as fast as traffic volumes. Police are calling for more manpower as the enforcement rate for all types of check by enforcement agencies is dependent upon them stopping vehicles.
Unless extra resources are provided those who flout the law will continue to do so. And that gives them an unfair advantage over respectable and professional merators.
Li by Danny Coughlan