Dutch plan to beat tacho hump
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DUTCH road hauliers are this week smarting under the impact of a decree just issued by the Government in Holland Which makes for a graduated introduction of tachographs before the 1978 EEC deadline. In a .situation very similar to that in the UK, the Dutch Ministry for Traffic and Waterways has acted to cult the tachograph "hump."
Manufacturers of the instrument have warned that there will be a massive last-minute rush in demand for tachographs if the EEC dates are not preceded by a graduated timetable for fitment to different categories of vehicle. It is in a bid to prevent this that the Dutch have acted.
Fitting of tachographs to new vehicles in Holland has been compulsory since January 1 this year (the UK date is January 1 next year) but the date for fitting to all vehicles is January 1, 1978. This is the same as here. Under the new decree the timetable for fitment is as follows: September 1, 1975 — all vehicles over 10 tonnes gtw on TIR; November 1, 1975—all vehicles over 3.5 'tonnes gtw on February 1, 1976-411 passenger vehicles on non-scheduled services; May 1, 1976 —all goods vehicles over 15 tonnes gtw; July 1, 1976 —all goods vehicles over 12.5 tonnes gtw; October 1, 1976—all goods vehicles over 10 tonnes gtw; February 1, 1976—all goods vehicles over 7.5 tOnnes gtw; May 1, 1977—all goods vehicles over 5 tonnes gtw; July 1, 1977 — all goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gtw.
Dutch operators are complaining both that the decree was issued without any consultation and that it means that they will, in many instances, have to fit tachographs to their vehicles well before the dates laid down by the EEC.
Initially, Dutch operators can make a choice between fitting tachographs to either Dutch or EEC specifications. If they use the Dutch version they can continue to use an existing log book, though they no longer have to record driving time and distance covered. If they choose the EEC model use of the log book can be dispensed with altogether.
By January 1, 1980 all vehicles should be fitted with EEC tachographs, according to EEC regulations. Another EEC law says that all new vehicles registered since January I this year of over 3.5 tons gvw should be fitted with EEC-type tachographs.
The Dutch government has introduced the regulations ahead of EEC deadline because it wants to improve the social position of its lorry drivers and because it wants to reduce the number of trucks on Dutch roads. The socialist government is seeking this reduction because of increasing pollution, there is a considerable degree of national transport over capacity and it wants to reduce consumption in the country.