Short term change to truck rest rules

THERE has been on-going liaison over the past few days between the Department of Transport; the Department of Agricultureand the Road Safety Authority about HGV transport operations associated with the delivery of animal fodder during the current crisis.

Recognising the “extraordinary and unexpected circumstances linked to unusual weather conditions in areas of the country and adverse impacts on the availability of animal fodder” the Road Safety Authority has said it will adopt a pragmatic approach when reviewing driver’s hours compliance with driving and resting time periods in respect of delivery and collection of fodder.

“During inspections, the history of the driver’s and operator’s overall compliance with the rules will be carefully assessed and that any deviation from the driving and resting time rules relates only to the carriage of animal fodder.”

These arrangements apply until 20 April 2018 but will be kept under continuous review in the light of the prevailing circumstances and having regard to wider road safety considerations

Any deviation from the driving and resting time rules must be a last resort.

HGV operators must put in place contingency measures to cater for emergency and urgent situations and this must be properly documented and retained for inspection.

The requirement to take breaks after 4.5 hours driving and weekly rest remains and will continue to be rigorously enforced.

With regards to weekly rest the RSA said it will “also apply a pragmatic approach in cases where drivers take more than one reduced weekly rest over a two week driving period in respect of fodder deliveries.”