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The Conservatives' plan to increase speed limits for HGVs on single-carriageway trunk roads has been strengthened by DfT statistics revealing that more than 75% of trucks exceeded 40mph on single carriage-ways in non-built-up areas last year.

While very few HGVs exceeded their speed limit of 60mph on motorways, more than 85% exceeded the 50mph limit on dual-carriageways.

The Tories have used the data from the DfT's Road Statistics 2008: Traffic, Speeds and Congestion report to back-up  its proposal to increase the speed limit for lorries on single carriageway trunk roads from 40mph to 50mph, if it gains power in the next general election.

Tory shadow road minister Robert Goodwill MP says: "I would say a majority of people are not aware lorry drivers have this 40mph limit and we are extremely concerned about the number of motorists trying to overtake them, which can lead to devastating accidents."

However, the Liberal Democrats caution that increases in speed limits will endanger lives and raise carbon emissions.

But the FTA's head of network management policy, Malcolm Bingham, retorts: "Some roads could be safer if speed limits for trucks were increased to 50mph and more aligned with those of other motorists. Such action could reduce instances of dangerous overtaking. It is also worth bearing in mind that it has been suggested that fuel efficiency is better when HGVs travel closer to their optimum running speed.

"The current 40mph  limit is an historical relic that is preventing modern vehicles from operating at the most efficient levels.

"It is time that the [DfT] initiate and trial on raised speed limits and act on evidence rather than dither on conjecture."