John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 457: To ask the Minister for Transport the reasons articulated trucks are not permitted to use the outside lane of a motorway for the purpose of overtaking, or for the purpose of allowing additional traffic to join a motorway from a slip road; the proposals he has to change these present regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31903/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In relation to motorways, it is prohibited under article 33 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 to drive a heavy goods vehicle, a bus or coach that accommodates more than eight passengers and any vehicle that is towing a trailer etc, in the outside lane except where it is necessary to proceed in that lane due to an obstruction or because another lane or lanes is or are for the time being closed to traffic.

The policy behind this regulation is to take cognizance of the impact of the speed differential between different classes of vehicles in the traffic stream. The classes of vehicles that I mentioned, and which includes heavy goods vehicles, are subject to a maximum vehicle related speed limit of 80 km/h whereas the default motorway speed limit is 120 km/h. I do not propose to change the regulations in this regard.