§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that drivers of heavy goods vehicles subject to limitation of driving hours by tachograph examination are not employed on duties prior to driving which are likely to impair their health or public safety.
§ Mr. KeyThe rules on drivers' hours and tachographs are set by EC regulations which prescribe maximum limits on driving time and minimum limits on breaks and rest periods. The regulations are designed to ensure that drivers have adequate rest provisions in the interest of road safety.
The current requirement to take a daily rest period of at least 11 hours, combined with the daily driving limit of nine hours, already effectively limits the number of hours available for work.
The Department's traffic examiners and the police have wide-ranging powers to deal with road haulage companies and drivers who break the law.