On non-smart motorways, I think that there should be a minimum speed limit of 60mph. That way cars and small commercials keep out of the way of 56mph HGVs. It was over 20 years ago, when I was driving in Germany and HGVs were banned from overtaking on uphill stretches of motorways. Nothing is worse than one HGV limited to 56 mph overtaking another one with a 55.9 mph limiter and blocking the middle lane.
I can't remember but was there a minimum speed limit on the autobahns?
agreed, this is one of the biggest causes of accidents,after tailgating.
The speed differential between goods vehicles and other mainstream traffic is such that when one goods vehicle pulls out from the inside to the middle lane(s),it causes a chain reaction of brake lights and manouvres to avoid them.
I get the point from HGV drivers that they do have substantial blind spots to worry about,and it's much easier to miss a potential obstacle.
hence why so many drivers "hog" the middle lane.
it's really out of necessity beacuse the inside lane is going much slower than the other traffic.
if the highway code were being followed to the letter,the situation would actually be far worse as there would be many,many more cars hopping in and out of 2 lanes rather than one.
not to mention not all drivers are considerate enough to allow lots of space between themselves and the car in front, or be inclined to permit another vehicle to join in front of them.
having everyone travel at 60mph is not really on either. I have noticed that on these variable speed limit motorways that when the 60/50 signs are illuminated the vehicles have a habit of bunching up,leaving insufficient distance between themselves and the guy in front..this could be a potential problem in the making.
Also with smart motorways,if a breakdown occurs,people now seem to just park their car in whatever lane they break down in,and getting on the mobile,rather than using the hard shoulder/refuge.
I think they just hit panic mode because they are distressed and an immediate escape route is not obvious,so they just shut down.
This causes enormous amounts of tailbacks.