This study mainly examines the traffic safety effects of the following measures: (1) An increase in the articulated vehicle speed limit from 60 km/h to 80 km/h on the secondary road network. The background to this measure is that the 60 km/h regulation for both lorry-trailer combinations and for buses with multi-axle trailers will not be included in the revised Traffic Regulations and Road Traffic Signs Code (RVV 1990). (2) The general speed limit increase for lorries from 80 km/h to 90 km/h. A general or maximum speed limit of 90 km/h for lorries is under discussion within the framework of the harmonization of the European legislation. Both measures should be judged differently, when evaluating them as an indication for the required speed behaviour. Compliance to the 80 km/h speed limit for articulated vehicles on the secondary road network is expected to have a negative traffic safety effect. Compliance to the 90 km/h speed limit for lorries on motorways is expected to have a positive traffic safety effect.
Abstract