I REFER to K Roper’s letter No truck with lorries (Oxford Mail, June 6).

I believe he is digging a big hole for himself, if he wants to dice with trucks carrying in excess of 40 tons.

Innocent or not, in an accident, he might finish up in a box. If he is worried about tailgating in lane two, get out of the way.

It is up to the police to deal with tailgating and speeding, not him. When speed limiters are fitted from new, they are set at 56mph, with a five per cent allowance up or down (ie 58.8mph or 53.2mph).

Fitting oversized tyres to carry maximum weight, increases maximum speed. As tyres wear down, maximum speed decreases pro-rata.

There are vehicles on the road exempt from speed limiters, such as fire engines, utility services and civilian vehicles working for the armed forces.

Some of these could have ‘OVLOV’ (VOLVO, when seen through the rear view mirror) or ‘7AD’ (DAF) on the front.

He also makes a serious allegation about broken or by-passed restrictors.

LGVs have to be serviced every six weeks, or 10,000 miles, whichever comes sooner. That’s one thing that is checked thoroughly.

Excess speed would show up immediately on the tachograph chart. These charts are analysed every month by a Government-approved inspector, and any discrepancies or excess speed is reported back to the company.

The company has to interview drivers about discrepancies, and drivers in turn have to sign a declaration to show that they have been spoken to.

They can then take whatever action they think is necessary.

At the end of the day, it is the company’s operator’s licence at stake.

Vehicles and tachocharts are checked at DVLA checkpoints like the one at Abingdon.

W HORLICK Field Close Kidlington