Do Lorries Have Different Stopping Distance or are they just courteous 1126

"Conor" wrote in message

That is what the HC says, although it does mention 'except in prescribed circumstances'. The law in England and Wales is dated 1982, which isn't online, however an amendment dated 1992 is online that covers clbuttes of vehicle excluded from the L3:

'Regulation 12 of the 1982 Regulations prohibits certain clbuttes of vehicle from using the outside lane on motorways where a carriageway has three or more lanes.

The clbuttes include motor tractors and locomotives.

Previously, other clbuttes of goods vehicle were prohibited if they were drawing a trailer or had an "operating weight" exceeding 7.5 tonnes or were "heavy motor cars".

The regulation is amended so that the only goods vehicles (other than motor tractors and locomotives) that are subject to the prohibition are those drawing trailers and those with a "maximum laden weight" exceeding 7.5 tonnes.

The definition of "maximum laden weight" can, so far as relevant, be summarised as follows: (a) in the case of a vehicle, in respect of which a gross weight not to be exceeded in Great Britain is specified in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, it means that weight; or

(b) in the case of other vehicle, it means the weight which it is designed or adapted not to exceed when in normal use and travelling on a road laden.'

The relaxations and exemptions in the Scottish version of the law state:

'Exceptions and relaxations 14.-(1) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of these Regulations shall preclude any person from using a motorway otherwise than in accordance with those provisions in any of the following circumstances, that it to say- (a) where he does so in accordance with any direction or permission given by a constable in uniform or in accordance with the indication given by a traffic sign; (b) where in accordance with any permission given by a constable, he does so for the purpose of investigating any accident which has occurred on or near a motorway; (c) where it is necessary for him to do so to avoid or prevent an accident or to obtain or give help required as a result of an accident or emergency, and he does so in such manner as to cause as little danger or inconvenience as possible to other traffic on a motorway; (d) where he does so in the exercise of his duty as a constable or as a member of a fire brigade or of an ambulance service; (e) where it is necessary for him to do so to carry out in an efficient manner- (i) the maintenance, repair, cleaning, clearance, alteration or improvement of any part of the motorway, or (ii) the removal of any vehicle from any part of a motorway, or (iii) the erection, laying, placing, maintenance, testing, alteration, repair or removal of any structure, works or apparatus in, on, under or over any part of a motorway; or (f) where it is necessary for him to do so in connection with any inspection, survey, investigation or census which is carried out in accordance with any general or special authority granted by the Secretary of State.'

I buttume the English version of the law says something similar. So in general HGVs aren't allowed in L3 certainly not in the circumstance of the OP.

Ian