Time For A Change?

With Brexit on the horizon, it may now be time to take another look at the drivers’ hours rules and adapt them for today’s life on the road.

Drivers’ hours lack flexibility and are no longer fit for purpose in the 21st century, say drivers and hauliers, who have called for them to be reviewed as the UK’s exit from the European Union looms at the end of March 2019.

They argue that congestion, roadworks and the increasing comfort and safety record of modern HGVs mean that the current rules are out of date and need tweaking – not least to attract more drivers into the industry.

“They’re out of sync with what is going on in 2018,” says one 58-year-old owner-driver, who asks to remain anonymous. “They were readjusted around 15 years ago but now we’re more congested – there are more cars than houses – more roadworks and the hours we have don’t marry up with what’s going on today.

A bit more flexibility

 “I’ve run out of time on a few occasions and had to ring someone up to come and get me. I just think the regulations need to be a little bit more flexible. I don’t want to drive more, just a few things need relaxing.”

As an example, he points to the rule stating that lorry drivers can reduce their 11 hours’ rest to nine hours on three occasions and suggests this be increased to four occasions instead.

“I don’t think I have ever slept for nine hours,” he adds. “We’re governed by a 24-hour clock; let’s do away with that, it will give us more scope.”