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Motor Vehicles (Spray Hazard)

Volume 982: debated on Tuesday 15 April 1980

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asked the Minister of Transport if he will bring forward proposals to reduce the hazard resulting from the spray produced by heavy vehicles travelling at speed, particularly along motorways; and if he will bring forward legislation to reduce the maximum speed for heavy vehicles to 50 mph in wet conditions.

Research is continuing to establish more effective mechanical ways of limiting spray, but at present there is no basis for any amendment to the legal construction standards.A speed limit of 50 mph on heavy vehicles travelling in wet conditions on motorways would entail problems both in definition and enforcement. It is, however, open to the police to take account of wet conditions in deciding whether to signal temporary advisory speed limits on motorways.