WHAT'S YOUR DEFENCE?
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M Do not assume your drivers know the regulations—find out.
• At the very least, issue the drivers with the DOT booklet on drivers' hours and tachographs.
Set up a training programme for all drivers, traffic office personnel and anyone else in the company
who needs to understand the importance of compliance.
w Organise the drivers' work so that they can comply with the hours rules.
Institute a system of periodic checks and constantly check that they are working.
If you use a tachograph chart analysis agency, make sure its findings are examined and acted on.
• Consider why any infringements have occurred and interview the drivers concerned—they may be due to a lack of understanding, pressure from the traffic office or a deliberate act by the driver. IN Consider retraining and disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
• Consider documenting the system.
• A tired driver is treated by some TCs in the same way as a drunk driver—imagine your position if you sent a drunk driver out in your truck and the driver caused an accident!