Sainsbury's Lorries Today - Sloooooooow

[uuf361]

I've had the displeasure of coming to work in Luton today which involves M25 and M1, and on the journey up on 3 ocassions (each 15-20 miles apart so not a convoy) traffic all started slowing down for no apparent reason and brake lights in most lanes with lorries elephant racing in 3 of the 4 lanes etc.

And each time the culprit was a Sainbury's lorry (not the articulated kind but the long ish ones attached to a cab) all doing between 45 and 50mph - I'm guessing they'd be restricted to 62mph anyway (?) but these were driving painfully slowly in comparison to the rest of the traffic and causing jams, but equally surprising all other lorries (including other supermarkets) were driving at more normal speeds.

Is today 'save Sainsbury's some fuel by driving slowly day', a new strategy by them to cut costs or completely coincidental ?

[jbi]

Sainsburys trucks are limited to 50mph on motorways now aren't they?

[GC8]

uuf361 said:

...I'm guessing they'd be restricted to 62mph anyway?...

Why do you think this?

[jbi]

here we go

http://handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/sainsb...

Sainsburys trucks are limited to a top speed of 50mph

[uuf361]

GC8 said:

Why do you think this?

It was a guess as I said.........I know some vehicles are restricted to 62 and others I think I've seen stickers on etc......

[jbi]

GC8 said:

uuf361 said:

...I'm guessing they'd be restricted to 62mph anyway?...

Why do you think this?

Sainsburys wants to promote a "green, environmentally responsible" image to the public.

[uuf361]

Seemingly not a new thing then as that article was from September 2009 but obv the first time I've nticed.

Seemed awfully slow today and not helping with traffic flow.....

[jbi]

It's a terrible idea and hopefully the shower of letters from angry motorists will help Mr Justin King see the error of his ways.

[k-ink]

What selfish morons. I will not be using Sainsburys!

[uuf361]

k-ink said:

What selfish morons. I will not be using Sainsburys!

I haven't used them for years - they installed speed bumps the car couldn't get over (when I only had one), won't be hurrying back either.........

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Lorries of that size are limited to 56mph anyway. But dropping to 50mph they made huge fuel savings. Plus their claims record improved from what I heard. Good for their pocket, lower prices for us, good for the planet.

50mph is plenty for an artic. This is the way forward, well done Sainsburys.

[jbi]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Lorries of that size are limited to 56mph anyway. But dropping to 50mph they made huge fuel savings. Plus their claims record improved from what I heard. Good for their pocket, lower prices for us, good for the planet.

50mph is plenty for an artic. This is the way forward, well done Sainsburys.

Rubbish... it is one of the major causes behind traffic jams and inconveniences the rest of us

Lorries should be travelling at the same speed as the rest of the traffic on the motorways to help ease congestion and reduce accidents

Edited by jbi on Wednesday 14th March 14:11

[forzaminardi]

Tesco lorries, I have noticed in the past, are always slower than others too. The fast-moving World of retailing etc.

[GC8]

uuf361 said:

GC8 said:

Why do you think this?

It was a guess as I said.........I know some vehicles are restricted to 62 and others I think I've seen stickers on etc......

The speed limit for HGVs is 60mph on a motorway. The EU limits them to a maximum of 90kph/56mph, although many are restricted to lower speeds, typically 53mph-54mph. Some supermarkets and distribution firms emply lower limits to save fuel and pretend to be 'green', which is important from a marketing perspective.

Anything with a 62mph sticker (100kph) will be a van, probably delivering groceries, and certainly not an HGV.

[k-ink]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

...good for the planet.

You think huge tail backs are good for the planet?

[jbi]

k-ink said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

...good for the planet.

You think huge tail backs are good for the planet?

Indeed... it's also bad for us. The greater the speed limit differential, the higher the chances of accidents as proved by this 1987 study

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mi9Sny62Qj0C&am...

[Cupramax]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Lorries of that size are limited to 56mph anyway. But dropping to 50mph they made huge fuel savings.

It said in that article they made no savings...

[GC8]

It depends on the lorry. Its true that if you keep it in the green, that youll see a worthwhile improvement at the pump.

[GC8]

I cant find an HGV tachometer picture in Google - the green area of higher efficiency usually runs out about 5mph before the limited top speed. The further out you have to venture to reach 56mph (or whatever your limit was), then the greater the saving if limited to 50mph.

[Lanby]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Lorries of that size are limited to 56mph anyway. But dropping to 50mph they made huge fuel savings. Plus their claims record improved from what I heard. Good for their pocket, more profit for them.

50mph is plenty for an artic. This is the way forward, well done Sainsburys.

EFA