New vans to get 75mph speed limiter

Good Idea

In my view, what a good idea. Minibuses are already limited to 62mph.

So what if they limit vans to 75mph? Last time I checked the national speed limit was still 70mph anyway.

By Top90 on 6 May, 2010, 11:29am

If you fit limiters also fit automatic brakes...

As the van driver said in his comment in the article, if you take away the need to pay attention to your speed you reduce the need to pay attention full stop - so fit limiters by all means but also have the system slow you down (even to a stop) automatically when 75mph isn't safe!

By aje21 on 6 May, 2010, 1:25pm

...cars next?

Will we see them fitted to new cars next 'for saving fuel/emissions'?

By PeteC on 6 May, 2010, 3:55pm

divdave

how about having fitted with either automatic or semi-automatic
transmission, as people like myself who would like to drive a van but cant do so will be given the opportunity to do so
and would make our job much easier.

By divdave on 6 May, 2010, 4:29pm

It's such a shame people can't drive responsibly any more. In my local area 30mph limit, people drive well in excess of the limit and don't care about the consequences. It's not just van drivers. It's not necessary for any car or l van to go over 70mph and should be limited to that speed.

I agree with aje21, automatic brakes is a good idea and I know more cars like Mercedes and Audi have it as an option and should be standard! But like ABS, probably will take years.

Cruise control and automatic gearbox is another good idea. I had them in my caddy van and it made driving so much more relaxed. it's a shame automatics are not standard either, they are good these days and not a lot harder on fuel either, in some they are better than manuals! Cruise just made me set it and forget it.

Sometime in the future I can really see satellite tracking in all vehicles and it will show up when and where and by how much you go over the limit. Some companies do this already, but insurance companies might insist on it in the future!

By Mad_Lad on 6 May, 2010, 6:37pm

Top90

Just to remind you, the vans are European, and just by crossing the channel the speed limit is 130kph...and the most countries are not police states like the uk.

By citroen5947 on 6 May, 2010, 11:20pm

Are you serious?

Mad lad, people like you need to be banned from the road as you will cause as many accidents as the speeders. People like you are the reason i get cut up and nearly killed on my motorbike because you think its ok to let the car drive for you. Electronics DO NOT replace paying attention and driving. If its too much hassle for you to apply the brakes yourself and change the gears then im sorry but you dont deserve to be on the road! This article has really got my back up.

By simranjugdev on 11 May, 2010, 8:09am

I agree with the van driver in the article. Anything that allows you to become distracted at ANY speed is dangerous. I don't like things like cruise control and automatics because there is less for you do do allowing you to get too relaxed in your car which could result in you dozing off at the wheel. I don't see a limiter any differently. If road users are incapable of maintaining a speed and drive responsibly, why are they issued with a licence?

By AdamR88 on 11 May, 2010, 8:13am

More nonsense spouted to appease the Eco-God - if they want to reduce plant food emissions, then they'll need to go slower than 70 mph.
Given that most of these vans are used in an around cities/towns, they're lucky if they get above 35mph regularly!

This is very much the thin end of the wedge, and further control being exerted over our lives, but none of you sheeple above can see that.

Might also be worth remembering, the introduction of a 70mph speed limit on the motorways was only supposed to be temporary.
And man-made (up) climate change is a complete fallacy, so forget the argument about eco-friendliness idealism as the article purports to be the reasoning behind such a move - it's nothing of the sort, but pure creeping stealth.
A bit like the whole MMCC fiasco - get enough people, slowly over time, to buy into the "cause", and then use them as the base upon which to build.
That's what'll happen with cars - once enough numbers are "forced" into driving with limiters in the name of some cause, applying it to every car is a logical extension, and with it, will come the black box informing those we elected to govern us, where we drive from and to, at what speed, whilst awaiting the bill to land on the doormat each month!

Time to give yourselves a good shake people, and stop sleep-walking into taxation and liberties erosion.

By pjskelti on 11 May, 2010, 8:40am

Why just the EU? Where was Brown & Cronies?

If national governments were worth their salt they would have introduced legislation on this years ago instead of fiddling expense accounts and travelling around Europe at the tax payers expense!

By vandenplas4litre on 11 May, 2010, 8:56am

A View from a Van Driver

I drive a "white van" as a self employed electrician. It is only white because I took the livery off as it was getting broken into all th time.
This article has really gotten my back up! Who are they to say what speed I am limited to?
I regularly drive to Germany and France and in certain parts there is no speed limit on the roads so to limit a van to 75mph is a joke.
I will be looking for a new van next year and the last thing I look at is the emmissions because all that matters is the final price.
I want things like cruise control and an automatic gearbox because changing gear all the times round town is a pain especially when stuck behind a doddering old bag.
If the next van I bought was fitted with a limiter then I would be the first to have it removed and the same goes for the tracking that this shady government want fitted to all vehicles so we pay by the mile and times of our journeys, and you think petrol is high at the moment!
pjskelti got it right on the nose with what he said above.

Sod the EU and their tampering with our liberties if vans cause so much pollution then what about the airlines are you going to fit speed restrictors to planes - no because you use them.
Slow something down then obviously it is on the road longer therefore causing more pollution.

Wake up people and smell your liberties being taken away from you slowly but SURELY!

By insanekitty1 on 11 May, 2010, 10:56am

A View from a TYPICAL Van Driver

insanekitty1

"Who are they to say what speed I am limited to?"

It's called democracy. Speak to your MEP.

"I regularly drive to Germany and France and in certain parts there is no speed limit on the roads so to limit a van to 75mph is a joke."

No limit for cars. But I think there is a limit for commercial vehicles. Perhaps white vans need to be classified as commercials (which they obviously are).

"I will be looking for a new van next year and the last thing I look at is the emmissions because all that matters is the final price."

You'd do well to look at emissions because - Low emissions = low running costs.

"I want things like cruise control and an automatic gearbox because changing gear all the times round town is a pain especially when stuck behind a doddering old bag."

There is a maximum speed limit but no minimum; drivers have every right to doddle as much as they want.

"If the next van I bought was fitted with a limiter then I would be the first to have it removed"

I suspect you might then be the first to be fined and/or imprisoned. The law is the law.

"and the same goes for the tracking that this shady government want fitted to all vehicles"

I agree. Fuel duty should be increased instead.

"Slow something down then obviously it is on the road longer therefore causing more pollution."

Errmm. I think you need some (very) basic science lessons.

By quintilian on 11 May, 2010, 2:47pm

quintilian

is probably a liberal democrat or votes green and believes everything about pollution and the environment and global warming!
Drives a prius whilst wearing gloves and a flat cap with a cushion on the parcelshelf and one under their arse.

By insanekitty1 on 11 May, 2010, 6:37pm

Speed Limits

Van drivers may find this link regarding speed limits interesting!

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/vanspeedlimits

By focusghia2 on 11 May, 2010, 7:53pm

quintilian

I am having to try my damn hardest not to swear or get angry after reading your post. People like you are ruining what is known as 'freedom' in this country. By that, i dont mean the freedom to speed excessively, or the freedom to pollute as much as you can afford. No one pollutes for the sake of it, why would they? Im all for reducing emissions, it means higher efficiency and cheaper running, but when it takes away your freedom to decide how you perform an overtake manouvre to move your vehicle away from a dangerous driver or to reduce congestion behind a slow vehicle on a back lane then it is definitely not a good move. On the subject of fuel duty, what in your mind makes you think RAISING fuel duty is a good idea, please explain this to me, im baffled! Why not ask for more value for money fromyour government, to which you already pay a hefty sum to per year in taxes. Do you not care about your own finances, are you that rich you can throw money away without a care? I know im not so i actually would like to see the right thing done for the nation, not just you and your selfish views.

By simranjugdev on 11 May, 2010, 9:13pm

It's Democracy

insanekitty1,

I'm not a Liberal Democrat nor a Green. I have serious reservations about whether global warming is a problem or not. I don't drive a Prius (BMW if you really must know), I don't wear gloves (except outdoors in the depths of winter). I tried my granddad's flat cap about fifty years ago but have never touched one since. And there are no cushions in my car.

So, six comments about me and every single one of them incorrect. Just goes to show how little of your nonsense we should listen to.


simranjugdev,

If your definition of freedom is being able to overtake in a back lane you need to take a long, hard look at yourself, my friend.

Why is raising fuel duty a good idea? Why should someone such as my daughter, driving 3,000 miles per year in her 1.2 car, pay the same road duty as me driving 22,000 miles per year in a 2.0 litre? Why should I pay the same as someone in a bungalow-on-wheels 4x4?

And remember, we might be the last generation to enjoy fuel at any price.

But the bottom line is we live in a democracy. Take these issues up with your MP and/or MEP. We've just had a general election; did you ask your candidates for their views on freedom, speed limits, fuel duties? No? Then stop whinging!

By quintilian on 11 May, 2010, 10:49pm

lies,lies,lies@dot.conmerchants/gov

They said speed cams would never be used on motorways. They said parking charges would pay for more car parks. They said 3 fatals before a cam would be installed. They said the congestion charge was to reduce traffic. They said average speed cams would only be used at roadworks(A13 Poplar to Dagenham A12 Basildon to Rayleigh) They say a lot they do , but only a mug would listern to THEY! ....johnny the cabbie.

By johnny1962 on 12 May, 2010, 3:43am

Mad Lad

Your words set it and forget sound a little worrying to me.

I think words like paying attention makes a good driver.

Its not always safe to do 70 mph so why set it and forget it?
I can't go a mile on a motorway with out having to change my speed slightly for what ever it is that requires me to slow down.

Cars entering from a slip road
A car cutting within feet of my front bumper to take the next exit because they want to do 80 - 90 or 100 mph instead waiting safely behind me at 70mph.
Car ahead is slower and no room in the outside lane.

Are just a few examples.

By gaffer1986 on 13 May, 2010, 12:49pm

Incompetence

Incompetence and emotion kill far more than guns in this country. I don't value human life whatsoever but you do so you have to be controlled.

Noise is the greatest imposition of motor vehicles. Speed causes noise, also low profile tyres. I would like to see a 40 mph motor way limit, especially through parks like Osterley (M4, London). Then you would all have to think.

Also no driving on Sundays (or even Thursday to Monday) for private cars. You will all adapt quite easily and your world will not end. Smoking impositions enhance the live of smokers (few complain, greater enjoyment when they are allowed)

By JoeCrennan on 6 July, 2010, 8:37am

Van speed limiters

If cars are restricted to 70 mph and HGVs are restricted to 60 mph, Vans should be restricted to 65 mph.

No argument, just plain common sense; sadly missing from so-called legislators grey matter!

By arp5792 on 3 August, 2010, 4:55pm