EC studies hours
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• The link between drivers' hours and road safety is to be formally examined by the European Commission. The study aims to look at the influence of work other than driving on the tiredness of LGV drivers.
The long-term purpose of the study is to harmonise the working day throughout the 15 member states and its work is in addition to the Commission's proposal to introduce a limit on working time (rather than simply driving time) in regulations 38/20 and 38/21.
Hauliers, drivers, the Vehicle Inspectorate and professional organisations will be among those included in the study.
Rob McHugh, managing director of Owner Operators UK, says: "It is not the number of hours that a driver works that is the problem but the irregular sleep patterns to which he is subject.
"I am also bound to say that, for owner-drivers in particular, any attempt to restrict the number of hours in the working day will limit their ability to compete with companies which have clerical staff to carry out administrative work."