Be fair to truckers

Sir,

I read with curiosity David G. Styles letter (November) where he deems it necessary to ban all goods and public service type vehicles from overtaking whilst using two lane motorways. He argues that the great majority of vehicle mileage is business mileage and consequently (reading between the lines a little) it is against the national interests to retain speed limits out of built-up areas, due to increased travelling times.

Does he not think that goods and PS type vehicles are also undertaking business trips? So why should their journey times be perhaps doubled, as they are held up on a two lane motorway behind a retired couple in an 850 Mini, doing 30 mph, or a slower vehicle of their oWritype?I’see nothing (almost!) more disturbing than a column of 32 ton trucks capable of 70 m.p.h. caught in this situation. The frustration of truck drivers is at least equal to that of the budding business executive held up for V4 mile whilst a truck or two braves the impatient flashing lights and abuse usually administered by this type of gentleman. Incidentally, how many times has Mr. Styles been held up by the throng of businessmen in the third lane of a three lane motorway? I certainly have, and they are usually more loathe to move over than the average truck is.

Surely it would be better if all drivers were educated in more of the advantages of sensible lane utilisation. Also I feel that the “them and us” attitude of car drivers to truckers is wrong. I have experienced driving both types of vehicle and as a generalisation the average trucker is friendlier to his own kind and the car driver than the car driver is to either.

We are all road users of an average road system. Let’s just make the best of it until the legislators improve it for the common good and always let us be considerate towards each other whether we’re in a Scammell or a Cortina.

Stamford T. P. EWING