PSNI to tailgaters: '˜Have a little patience'

Road Policing Inspector John Millar said the PSNI have had reports recently of drivers feeling under pressure to speed up.

He is reminding drivers of the speed limit - particularly the speed limits for vehicles like lorries, buses and vans.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are reminding road users to have a little patience when driving behind lorries, buses and vans especially on single carriageways.”

Road Policing Inspector John Millar explains: “It may be down to a lack of awareness of the different speed limits applicable to certain vehicles but recently we have had reports of drivers feeling unduly pressurised by other road users because of a perception they are not travelling fast enough.

“On a single carriageway lorries, buses, vans and cars towing caravans or trailers are restricted to a maximum speed of 50mph and HGV’s can’t go any faster than 40mph. So while you may be inwardly frustrated don’t let that affect your driving behaviour. Flashing your lights, tailgating, or repeatedly edging out for an opportunity to overtake won’t make the driver in front go any faster! Wait until it is safe and legal to overtake.”

The PSNI also took the unusual step of reminding drivers of the speed limits, something everyone who passed their driving theory test should already know.

Cars and motorcycles (including car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight) can drive 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 on dual carriageways and motorways.

Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car-derived vans and motorcycles) can only drive 50mph on single carriageways and 60 on dual carriageways and motorways.

Buses, coaches and minibuses (not exceeding 12 metres in overall length) can drive 50mph on single carriageways, 60 on dual carriageways and 70 on motorways. The same limits apply to goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight), while Goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) can only drive 40 mph on single carriageways, 50 on dual carriageways and 60 on motorways.