Fowler must make tachograph work
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THE MOST IMMEDIATE task the new Transport Minister Norman Fowler faces is to implement the use of the tachograph — an obligation under European law which the UK has thus far flouted. By doing this he would help to correct the commonly held opinion on the Continent that the British transport industry is weak and ineffectual.
This was the concensus of opinion at a seminar held last weekend at Portsmouth Bedford's main dealers' United Services Garage premises.
Among those who were on the panel were Wincanton Transport's Lass Cheesman, Vauxhall Motors' Robert Calder and William Hartop ahd Veeder Root's Garry Leggatt and Colin Daniels, along with CM's Editor lain Sherriff. Among the 200-plus people attending were operators from the Hampshire area and police and Army representatives.
Many of the questions on operators' minds were answered by the panel with its wealth of specialised knowledge. They may be summarised as follows: • What effect would a defective tacho have on operation of the vehicle?
The law permits the operator to continue on his route if the defect occurs in transit, but it must be repaired on the vehicle's return to base or within seven days, whichever is the sooner. In the meantime, the driver should use the chart as a log-book and fill it out by hand.
• How can the £400m cost of tacho installation be recouped by the industry?
The estimated cost of installing each unit was around £250 — representing only .005p per mile over the lifespan of the vehicle, and the cost should be recouped from the customer in the same way as an increase in any other running cost.
• How will the tacho figure in the annual Ministry test?
The only concern of the testing station will be that the seals remain intact. If they are broken, the inspector may require the instrument to be recalibrated.
• How will the tacho affect prosecutions for moving traffic offences?
Information provided by the tacho chart may exonerate a driver as well as incriminating him. This information is accepted in a court of law and can provide valuable evidence — for the defence as well as the prosecution. It can be used, though, as the basis of the evidence of a retrospective speeding charge.
• Can the police confiscate a chart?
Yes — but only if the officer has reason to believe that there is any intent to deceive. In this case, the officer should be requested to sign the chart so that there be no doubt in court that is the relevant one. In any case the driver should ask for a receipt for the confiscated chart before he continues on his journey.