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Most drivers still find WTD rules a mystery
Page 12
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The Working Time Directive has been with us for months now, but despite this the majority of drivers
still feel confused about it. Jennifer Ball reports.
ALMOST 60% of truck drivers feel that they are still not fully informed about the Working Time Directive (WTD), according to a new study.
Even more worryingly, the Professional Drivers Association's (PDA) Survey of Drivers found that slightly less than 40% of the 300 drivers surveyed said they think their employers are also not fully informed due to the complexity of the legislation. And, despite most of the industry initially welcoming the flexibility of periods of availability, 53% of those surveyed said that they now don't like them; the PDA believes this is due to misinformation and a fear of not being paid for them.
The survey reveals a similar lack of awareness about digital tachographs, with 75% of drivers still unaware when they are to be intro duced and 23% of drivers unsure whether they or their employer will pay for the smartcard.
But despite the WTD, rising fuel prices, poor pay and increasing red tape, 91% of drivers said they are happy in their job.
PDA trustee Pat Nicholson says: -This obviously explains why we do the job for the wages we get paid. the reason we work such long hours and explains the dedication we all have in a demanding and highly skilled profession. It also explains our reluctance to press for more money, better conditions and why some employers find it easy to exploit us."
Other key findings:
40% of drivers use paid parking but only 38% of their employers reimburse the fee.
75% of drivers say they've never had problems with theft or damage while parked overnight.
56% of drivers do not want to see on-the-spot fines for foreign drivers 57% of drivers approved of VOSA's 'power to stop' 59% of drivers have been caught by a speed camera