§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward measures to monitor and enforce the legislation relating to the misuse of tachographs; if he will undertake more frequent spot-checks in respect of(a) hours of working by lorry drivers, (b) the roadworthiness of vehicles and (c) the legal weight and safety of the cargo; and if he will make a statement. [111499]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe specification and use of tachographs is laid down in European legislation, principally Regulation (EEC) 3821/85. This regulation has been amended to require the fitting and use of digital tachographs in vehicles put into service after August 2004. This new instrument will address the common misuses associated with the current analogue tachograph. The working time of drivers is not currently subject to limits except to the extent that drivers subject to the drivers hours rules must meet minimum requirements for daily and weekly rest—in addition to limits on driving time. A minimum level for checks on compliance with the EU drivers hours rules is set in an EU Directive.
We have already taken steps to increase the levels of enforcement for HGV traffic and roadworthiness regulations. In 2001–02, we introduced an additional HGV enforcement package, funded by the Road Haulage Modernisation Fund. The package includes projects to increase the number of examiners available for roadside checks, provide equipment to increase the scope and mobility of roadside inspections, augment advice and education initiatives to prevent offending, enhance data collection and analysis for targeting purposes, and improve roadside inspection facilities.
130W
§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) lorry drivers and (b) haulage firms were convicted in each of the last three years for which figures are available for offences involving the (i) tampering with and (ii) removal of tachographs. [111498]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe number of lorry drivers and haulage firms (operators) convicted by the Vehicle Inspectorate (now the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) in each of the last three years for offences involving (i) tampering with or (ii) removal of tachographs is set out in the table below. In such cases operators are convicted for causing or permitting these offences, unless they are owner/drivers. The figures for convictions for tampering with tachographs also include offences of tampering with the tachograph chart.
The agency also has powers to prohibit vehicles if the calibration of a tachograph has been tampered with. The prohibition can only be cleared at an approved tachograph calibration centre.
§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many lorry drivers were convicted in each of the last three years for which figures are available for exceeding the number of permitted hours of working. [111500]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe number of lorry drivers convicted by the Vehicle Inspectorate (now the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) in each of the last three years for breaching drivers hours regulations is set out in the table below. The agency also has powers to impose a prohibition in such cases to prevent the driver from continuing his journey until the road safety risk has been eliminated.
2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Exceed 45. hours continuous driving 639 559 696 Exceed 10 hours driving in a day 300 262 243 Exceed 9 hours driving in a day 51 30 16 Exceed fortnightly driving (90 hours) 3 7 19 Insufficient rest in a 24 hour period 541 464 460 Insufficient rest in a 30 hour period (double manned) 11 29 19 Failure to take weekly rest 156 1,507 1,568 Total 1,701 1,507 1,568