FTA: Vans should be restricted to 70mph

When running a delivery business it is immediately apparent that the vans are the heartbeat of operations.

With something this integral it is important not to take chances and a van leasing scheme could be useful to most companies, as not only does it mitigate expensive upfront costs, but also keeps firms abreast of the latest technological advancements.

The Freight Transport Association's (FTA) Van Excellence Governance Group has asked manufacturers to supply vehicles with a speed limiter set at 70 miles per hour as a no extra cost option.

And this means that if such changes were implemented it would be far easier for those on a van leasing scheme to switch to the newer models than firms who had privately purchased their vehicles.

The FLA felt that apart from the legal implications, imposing a restriction on the top speeds of vans would also lead to significant fuel economy benefits for fleet managers and businesses.

Additionally, it could also help to lower driver stress levels, stated the group.

Gary Whittam, chairman of the Association said: "We find it impossible to justify why any conscientious van operator would allow its vans to operate above the national speed limit."

"Simply put, a van travelling at 80mph will be using significantly more fuel than one at 70.  You don't need a calculator to work out that at over £7 per gallon, that's just burning money.

He added that it would be no hardship for all van manufacturers to impose a speed limit on their models and questioned why it is not already the default standard.

If these limits were there would be little adverse impact on transport companies, as the FLA stated that noted that most operators reported very little detriment to their journey times when trialling the restrictions as currently no business should be relying on breaking the law to meet schedules anyway.