A ‘MONSTER’ lorry has been caught travelling at 76mph in the south west – despite a 56mph restriction law.

New research by Confused.com reveals the driver of a lorry with a laden weight over 7.5 tonnes had been recorded travelling at 76mph in the south west in 2016.

This is 16mph over the motorway speed limit and 20mph more than the restricted-speed requirement for vehicles of this size.

It is thought to have been the fastest speeding large HGV, which are restricted by law to 56mph, recorded in the UK. 

The information was obtained through a Freedom of Information request to 45 UK police forces of which 20 responded.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: “Some drivers’ frustration with lorries is understandable, but there are a number of precautions – such as lower speed limits and fitted speed-limiter devices – in place to ensure conditions are as safe as possible.

“Given the sheer size and weight of HGVs, motorists in the South-West should be extra cautious when travelling alongside lorries as a collision can have devastating consequences.

"They should be mindful of lorry drivers’ limited visibility when cars drive too closely behind them, and of extended stopping distances when cars pull directly in front of them.

“And like all accidents, a collision with a lorry can cause damage to a car, even with the slightest bump. This can of course lead to an increase in their insurance premiums if they need to claim.

"Motorists who do see a rise in their car insurance should shop around online.”

All HGVs – vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes – are required to be fitted with a device restricting them to travelling at 56mph or below although the research clearly shows some fleet operators are still flouting these rules, despite a £200 penalty for those caught without these devices.

The speed limit for larger HGVs, with a laden weight of 7.5 tonnes above, is also set at lower than other vehicles to limit the amount of fast-travelling metal on motorways, although in 2015 the national speed limit for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes in England and Wales increased by 10mph to 60mph on dual carriageways

According to Confused.com:

• Nearly one in three (31%) drivers in the south west have had an accident or near miss with a lorry.

• Almost a quarter (24%) of injuries caused by crashes with heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)5 are fatal or serious, compared to one in eight (13%) crash average6.

• Two in five (37%) south west motorists think the speed limit should be reverted to 50mph.

Figures taken from omnibus research carried out by One Poll research on behalf of Confused.com. This was an online poll of 2,000 UK adults who drive (nationally representative sample). The research was conducted between May 16-18, 2017 and 18th May 2017.