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EEC hours cuts 'too restrictive'
Page 39
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• In Paris on Monday the International Road Transport Union (IRU) told representatives of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport that the cuts in driving hours proposed by the EEC were too restrictive and against the interest of national economies. In particular, the effects of long-distance haulage and coach tours would be quite unreasonable.
One of the IRU's five delegates was PVOA secretary Mr. Denis Quin, who said after the metting: "We tried to show them in practical terms that the economic cost would far outweigh any social benefit, an aspect that was being greatly overestimated. For example, the restrictions will keep lorry drivers away from home for long periods and clearly will also have adverse effects on tourism in Europe —particularly France, Germany and Belgium. There would certainly be no improvement in road safety, probably the reverse if speeds increased."
In brief the EEC's proposals would mean a nine-hour driving day and a 50-hour weekly limit from 1969, with a cut to eight hours and 48 hours respectively in October 1971. plus a compulsory rest day after any six days work.