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<p>There are no current plans to place overtaking restrictions on Heavy Goods Vehicles
(HGVs) on motorways and trunk roads, beyond their current prohibition from the outside
lane of any motorway with three or more lanes. Such restrictions could delay journeys
and lead to increased operating costs which could be passed on to consumers.</p><p>
</p><p>In addition, the possibility of nose to tail convoys of HGVs in the nearside
lane could cause difficulty for drivers wishing to join or leave the motorway. All
drivers should know and apply the rules contained in The Highway Code, which includes
advice and rules to drivers on overtaking and lane discipline.</p><p> </p><p>However,
in very specific locations where there have been congestion problems caused by lorries
overtaking on uphill sections of the strategic road network, restrictions have been
put in place by Highways England. These restrictions have only been kept in place
where clear evidence shows overall journey time improvements. If the Hon Member is
concerned more specifically about the situation on roads in Scotland, she should contact
Transport Scotland who have a similar power in Scotland to ban overtaking on specific
sections of road.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, we have recently increased the national
speed limit for HGVs of more than 7.5 tonnes on dual carriageway roads in England
and Wales from 50mph to 60mph. This may help to assist with light vehicle journey
times when HGV drivers do choose to overtake on dual carriageways. This change only
applies to England and Wales so if the Hon Member is concerned more specifically about
the situation on roads in Scotland, she should discuss this with the Scottish Government.</p><p>
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