§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what factors he will take into account when assessing the advantages of extending the use of tachographs to(a) drivers and (b) vehicles other than those already covered by regulations; [34334]
(2) if he will assess the advantages of tightening the regulations to limit the number of hours per day that a professional courier may drive a vehicle. [34333]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe shall be considering the practical and legal implications of bringing some or all of the types of vehicle operation currently subject to the United Kingdom national rules on drivers' hours within the scope of the European Union rules. Such a change would require primary legislation and we would consult operators and their employees before making it. Any change would need to strike a reasonable balance between road safety and operational flexibility. Subject to the outcome of any consultation, it is unlikely that we would extend the requirement to fit tachographs to vehicles of less than 3.5 tonnes.
There is also the possibility that European Union proposals to extend limits on working time to the road transport sector will apply to vehicles of less than 3.5 tonnes. The aim will be to ensure that workers are protected against adverse effects on their health and safety caused by working excessively long hours, inadequate rest or disruptive working patterns. We expect an initial proposal on working time in road transport from the European Commission later this year.
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§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the size of the smallest vehicles that are presently required to use tachographs; [34331]
(2) what regulations presently limit the number of hours per day that a professional courier may drive a vehicle, other than those covered by tachograph regulations. [34332]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe European Union regulations which require the fitting and use of tachographs apply to most vehicles used for the carriage of goods where the maximum permissible gross weight of the vehicle, including any trailer, exceeds 3.5 tonnes. Separate UK national legislation contained in Part VI of the Transport Act 1968, as amended, applies to those categories of goods vehicle which are exempt from the European Union regulations but it does not require the fitting of tachographs.
§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what penalties apply to employers who require employees to drive small vehicles for an unreasonably long period of time in a 24 hour period. [34335]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonPart VI of the Transport Act 1968, as amended, details the infringements and penalties that can be incurred on conviction for a drivers' hours related offence. Where it can be proven that an employer caused or permitted an employee to break the drivers' hours rules, that employer is liable to a maximum fine of £2,500 (level 4).