Tachograph Regulation: professional driver safety to improve under transport rules.

Professional drivers will enjoy safer working conditions with the introduction of more efficient road transport recording equipment as endorsed by the European Parliament today, according to EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur Jim Higgins MEP.

"MEPs have given their backing to a review of the Tachograph Regulation, which dates back to 1985. The revision aims to combat fraud, enforce better working conditions for professional drivers and save European transport companies up to €515 million per year by reducing administrative burdens", said Mr Higgins, a member of Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism.

The proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport, and amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council, relates to the social legislation in the field of road transport to improve road safety and drivers' working conditions, and to ensure fair competition among transport companies.

The tachograph rules stipulate maximum driving times and rest periods for drivers engaged in the transport of goods with vehicles of 2.8 tonnes or more laden mass and for drivers engaged in the transport of passengers with vehicles for 9 persons and more.

"The European Commission has found that up to 45,000 vehicles are in breach of EU tachograph rules at any one time. Breaches include not adhering to minimum rest periods or maximum driving times, resulting in fatigued drivers and increased road safety risks", Mr Higgins continued.

"Today, the Parliament called for the introduction of a 'smart tachograph' using digital technologies in combating fraud or illegal interference with the device to increase compliance. The use of new digital technologies will also streamline equipment to simplify and reduce the administrative burden on transport companies.

"These laws are meaningless if they are not enforced, and in that regard, a greater harmonisation across Member States is needed. There is a need for increased awareness of the issue of driver fatigue and of tachograph laws across the transport industry with Europe-wide standardised training for the Control Officers who carry out checks on such vehicles."

"We are aware of the competitive pressure that exists in the transport sector and firms ignore driver safety rules in order to gain an edge over competitors, particularly by increasing driving hours of staff and saving money on personnel which can represent 30-50% of the total operating costs."

"With this latest proposal, the Parliament is seeking to support the transport industry by easing the burden on companies and clarifying tachograph laws. However, road safety is of paramount importance and transport companies and their drivers must obey the rules of the road", Mr Higgins concluded.