Coaches speeding Downhill

[cambsy]

I have recently, had a couple of coaches, clocking 70-75mph down hill, They were an Vanhool Altano 2011 reg, and a Plaxton Panorama double decker.
as they were an inter deck and a double decker, I got the speeds from a speedometer app, both the drivers verified, they were doing these speeds. most coach trips I have done are national Express, whose drivers seem to downhill, let coach run couple mph over, where as this companies drivers seem happy to run way over down hill,
so if the authorities checked their tachos, and found them briefly speeding, would they get done for it. Or is there leeway, as it was only briefly and downhil?

I haven’t had runs like this for a long time, as National Express and Megabus drivers, seem to not let their coaches over run down hill, to anything like this degree, so is this something many coach drivers would do, or have done? Or Is it seen as too risky and dangerous, so frowned upon by most coach drivers?

I haven’t given names of drivers or the company, as dont want to get anyone in trouble, all I noticed, was that we seemed to be going bit faster than normal, didnt feel dangerous or any different to normal really, and to boot we were 15 mins early to first stop, then gained more time to final destination, getting me back 40-20 mins early.

 

[carlberry]

I have recently, had a couple of coaches, clocking 70-75mph down hill, They were an Vanhool Altano 2011 reg, and a Plaxton Panorama double decker.
as they were an inter deck and a double decker, I got the speeds from a speedometer app, both the drivers verified, they were doing these speeds. most coach trips I have done are national Express, whose drivers seem to downhill, let coach run couple mph over, where as this companies drivers seem happy to run way over down hill,
so if the authorities checked their tachos, and found them briefly speeding, would they get done for it. Or is there leeway, as it was only briefly and downhil?

I haven’t had runs like this for a long time, as National Express and Megabus drivers, seem to not let their coaches over run down hill, to anything like this degree, so is this something many coach drivers would do, or have done? Or Is it seen as too risky and dangerous, so frowned upon by most coach drivers?

I haven’t given names of drivers or the company, as dont want to get anyone in trouble, all I noticed, was that we seemed to be going bit faster than normal, didnt feel dangerous or any different to normal really, and to boot we were 15 mins early to first stop, then gained more time to final destination, getting me back 40-20 mins early.

I'd be more concurned that a coach driver would admit to speeding if a passenger queried it!

 

[Bletchleyite]

If this is on a motorway 70mph is not an offence. Coaches have ended up in this curious situation where the legal speed limit is 70mph but the limiter prevents going (under power) over 62. Lorries similarly, they are limited to 56mph but can legally do 60mph, and sometimes do downhill. Limiters generally control only power, not brakes.

 

[CBlue]

If this is on a motorway 70mph is not an offence. Coaches have ended up in this curious situation where the legal speed limit is 70mph but the limiter prevents going (under power) over 62. Lorries similarly, they are limited to 56mph but can legally do 60mph, and sometimes do downhill. Limiters generally control only power, not brakes.

70moh isn't, no. 75mph being picked up by a calibrated tachograph probably isn't something I'd expect to get away with if it were checked.

 

[Bletchleyite]

70moh isn't, no. 75mph being picked up by a calibrated tachograph probably isn't something I'd expect to get away with if it were checked.

Yes, I'd say this is not appropriate.

 

[Bobdogs]

A lorry driver friend used to coast on long motorway down hills in neutral thus beating the limiter.

 

[Westcountryman]

If this is on a motorway 70mph is not an offence. Coaches have ended up in this curious situation where the legal speed limit is 70 mph but the limiter prevents going (under power) over 62. Lorries similarly, they are limited to 56mph but can legally do 60mph, and sometimes do downhill. Limiters generally control only power, not brakes.

This is not actually true. The motorway speed limit is 70 mph for PCVs up to 12 metres long. If the length exceeds 12 metres the limit is 60 mph. I have just googled both of these types of coaches, and it appears they may be 14.4 metres long. If these particular coaches were that long, they could be significantly exceeding their speed limit.

From https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits Motorway limits are the final figure.

Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length)

30 (48)

50 (80)

60 (96)

70 (112)

Buses, coaches and minibuses (more than 12 metres overall length)

30 (48)

50 (80)

60 (96)

60 (96)