UNION FEARS LIGHT ALARMS
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by Guy Sheppard Beware any truck with a flashing light—in future it could mean the driver has been too long at the wheel. Brussels is proposing that external signals be fitted to trucks so other road users can see when a driver has not inserted a tachograph or has exceeded the legal limit for driving hours.
But the International Union of Lorry Drivers claims this would contravene the European Human Rights Convention. Dr Gunther Rossow, president of the union which says it represents 800,000 drivers, says: "It would be an intrusion into the personal rights of the individual and could be a danger to road safety because people would try to keep away from any vehicle giving this warning." He adds that the union would support the introduction of signals, provided they were inside the cab and only warned the drivers themselves that they were breaking the law.
A Department of Transport
spokesman says the external warning idea was part of a package of measures to regulate recording equipment in road transport: "It would be a flashing light if it ever became law."
Flashing lights could alert road users to tired truck drivers.