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If you fiddle with the electronics on a truck, you are fiddling with your life
Page 17
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THERE'S BEEN a lot of talk in the trade recently about using a magnet to interfere with the signal from the gearbox to the tachograph ('Dutch drivers use magnets to commit digitach fraud' CM 6 November 2008). "The result is that you can continue your shift as long as you like" said one article.., or until you fall asleep, it might also have said.
Put simply. interfering with truck electronics is a risky business.
There's the potential for the truck to lose its ABS signal, to apply the parking brake itself and for the engine management system to run an emergency programme that only releases half of its potential power. Also, some trucks using the same sensor in their gearboxes could shift themselves back into first gear.
Quite apart from the fact no-one knows exactly what may go wrong when a magnet is used to interfere with the truck's equipment,fiddling tachograph hours in this way is a criminal offence.
Penalties
It's easy to spot when a tacho's records have been tampered with, and the penalties for doing this include up to two years in prison, a fine of £5.000.Traffic Commissioner action against the 11G V licence entitlement, an immediate 45-hour prohibition and the likelihood of a detailed investigation back at the operator's base leading to the loss of the company's 0-licence. If this isn't enough of a deterrent, consider the fact that one in five crashes that kill or cause serious injuries are the result of falling asleep at the wheel.
Since there's no attempt to brake, impact speeds are high. These, combined with the much higher mass of a truck, cause a massive transfer of energy at the point of collision, which means sleep-related crashes are more likely to result in death.
Long-distance drivers and those who spend a large amount of time on motorways, are more likely to fall asleep when driving. Most drivers who have fallen asleep at the wheel did so in the belief that they could overcome their drowsiness. Opening a window or turning on the radio are ineffective 'remedies'. The only way to overcome the need to sleep is to get some sleep.
Keeping up to date
It is for the reasons we have mentioned that drivers' hours rules are in place; why both UK and EU governments have legislated on maximum safe driving periods and minimum safe rest requirements.
Vosa examiners and our European counterparts are trained and experienced at spotting fiddles. To ensure that Vosa remains on top of the game, we are chairing an EU-wide group on the best procedures for detecting these sorts of practices.
If you know someone who tries to beat the system, you can call us anonymously on 0300 123 9000. It is far better we get to them before they add to the total of innocent people killed and/or seriously injured on our roads. •