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TIRED OLD LEGISLATION
Page 22
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Regarding Sound Off (CM12-18 Dec 2002) entitled 'Duly of Care'. Whilst the Drivers' Action Movement fully supports the work Brake does, we feel that on this subject they have got it wrong. Let me explain: • While the legal limit to drive is 4.5 hours without an official break, companies will (and do) expect HGV drivers to use this time up before stopping for a rest. This traffic law reeds changing to a more acceptable level (three-hour limit).
• While the legal limit of combined work and driving time is 15 hours spread over at least three days a week, and another three days working 11to 12 hours a day, you will always get fatigue at this level of work activity. Combine this with the fact that most drivers sleep in their cab—something that does not always guarantee a good night's rest, especially when sleeping in a lay-by or busy truckstop. This law needs changing back to the old driving system.
E lf companies demand from the driver difficult, if not sometimes impossible, time schedules, then the law must protect the HGV driver who feels that he is tired and does not want to work a 15-hour shift. More protection needs to be introduced to support the driver's needs.
• When companies pay low rates, this means HGV drivers have to work harder and longer hours to earn a respectable living. Rates should be levelled at a reasonable rate to encourage safer levels of driving.
When the Working Time Directive covers HGV drivers then we may find that safety factors improve.
We can no longer expect HGV drivers to constantly work unreasonable hours over a lengthy period and, whilst Brake highlights the incidents that cause concern, the answer is to look at the issues detailed above to resolve an ever-growing problem of fatigue in drivers of HGV vehicles.
Jack Crossflekl, Drivers Action Movement, Manchester.