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Watching the clock?
Imagine the frustration of being within sight of a ferry or other destination and being forced to stop for a 45 minute rest period just because you're about to go a minute over your hours. Strictly speaking, of course, Vehicle Inspectorate staff have every right to stop anyone breaking the 4.5-hour limit. But this will be little comfort to a haulier whose vehide fails to make a crucial delivery window and who loses professional credibility—or even a contract.
If David Tomlinson of tacho agency Contac_h (UK) is right about the way VI staff are likely to enforce the new prohibition rules, an awful lot of hauliers will soon be very angry. However, the VI's traffic enforcement policy manager says prohibitions will only be issued for more serious offences. If this is true, well-intentioned drivers who happen to run a couple of minutes over their hours have little to fear.
The policy is said to be aimed at serious offenders: we'll soon know if this is the case. If it is, it will do far more good than harm to the industry and win widespread support. If it isn't...you'll read all about it in Commercial Motor!
• It s the day some thought would never come: from' February you can run 44-tonners on general haulage. Take-up may seem a little slow, but that s hardly any surprise given the continuing restructuring of vehicle excise duty rates. Assuming VED is properly structured to support the new dass, operators will be queueing up to run at 44 tonnes.
If not, well know how seriously to take the government s talk about encouraging efficient road transport.