Regulations restrict truckies hours

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 11, 11 August 1987, Page 1

Regulations restrict truckies hours

On 1 August new laws were introduced concerning working hours of professional drivers. The laws set out the length of time drivers can work, their minimum rest periods and introduce the compulsory use of log books. A driver cannot drive continuously for more than five and a half hours, cannot drive for more than 11 hours in any 24 hour period, cannot be on duty for more than 14 hours in any 24 hour period, must have a 24 hour break in any 7 day period and cannot be on duty for more than 70 hours in any 7 day period. Within the regulations "on duty" includes driving time, maintenance, cleaning and other vehicle related activities, carrying out any other activity relating to transport. "On duty" includes any paid employ-

ment (transport or otherwise). Most professional drivers, that is bus drivers and drivers of goods service vehicles over 5500kg tare weight or with more than two axles, are now covered by these regulations and those concerning the use of log books. It is now an offence for a driver to be unable to provide a copy of his/her log book covering the previous ten days' driving activities. Senior Sergeant Alec Campbell from the Ministry of Transport said these type of regulations have been around for a long time, but the new development is the enforcement of them through the use of log books. Drivers committing a driving hours or log book offence are now liable to be fined up to $2000 and a minimum of three months' loss of licence. An employer that commits an offence *is liable to a fine of up to $10,000.

Senior Sergeant Campbell said safety is the concern of the new regulations. "Lots of people are driving continually backwards and forwards, with very little rest in between," he said. There is the provision for exemption in the regulations, but exemption must be applied for to the Secretary of Transport. Local transport operators have said the regulations will cause them major

difficulties in scheduling their runs, as well as adding work with the log book requirements which require hubodometer readings as well as hours. One part of the regulations that has drawn special criticism is the fact that it is impossible to cover a long trip with a relief driver in the vehicle. As long as a driver is "on duty", which includes travelling in the passenger seat of a vehicle, his/her hours must be included.