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FTA slams EU for 'inflexible' changes to drivers' hours

15th December 2005
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Page 8, 15th December 2005 — FTA slams EU for 'inflexible' changes to drivers' hours
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Just when you thought no more rule changes could be generated by the EU, it meddles with the drivers hours rules. Chris Tindall reports.

FHE EU'S MEDDLING with 'rivers' hours rules will kill the Iexibility the road transport ndustry needs, according to the 7Teight Transport Association. Its comments follow an EU decision that drivers must take a full 45 hours' weekly rest in any two-week period.

Following four years of pro tracted and apparently pointless debate, the new EU drivers' hours rules will take effect from spring 2007.

The changes include the option of replacing the current 45-minute break with a break of 15 minutes followed by a break of 30 minutes taken during and at the end of fourand-a-half hours of driving.

The II-hour daily rest requirement is retained in the new regulations, as is the exemption for drivers involved in the supply of gas, electricity and telecoms.

The FTA's Joan Williams says there was no reason to alter the rules, and it will result not only in the loss of productivity but also the flexibility needed to spread driving and work time over six days. • The FTA and the International Road Transport Union (IRU) have condemned the failure of the EU and European Parliament to agree on a date for the introduction of digital tachographs.

Instead an EU conciliation group announced their roll-out will start 20 days after the publication of the Directive. Williams says no one knows exactly when this will be, though next May is possible.

Hubert Linssen, the IRU's general delegate to the EU, says: "It's incredible the introduction of such an important piece of road safety equipment has been so badly mishandled. This matter isn't closed. The principle of free movement for transport operators within the EU mustn't be compromised."


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