Driver’s Hour’s Compliance – DVSA 5th March 2018

New powers come into effect on Monday 5th March 2018 whereby DVSA traffic examiners will be able to issue on the spot fines to drivers committing driving hour offences. Breaches of driving hour’s rules over the previous 28 days will incur a fine of up to £300 per offence with up to five offences chargeable at a single check. Offences committed both in the UK and abroad will be subject to the charges as well as to non UK resident drivers who must pay immediately or have their vehicle immobilised. Driving tired can have tragic results and with an estimated 40% of all sleep related accidents involving commercial vehicles, the industry generally welcomes compliance. The Road Haulage Association is concerned about the lack of legal rest areas for drivers to park. RHA’s chief executive Richard Burnett said “We welcome enforcement that increases road safety and ensures drivers get their rest breaks, and it will certainly help DVSA get a grip on drivers who’ve crossed into the UK having driven long distances without sufficient before they’ve got here”. He continued “Whilst we support action against firms who deliberately flout driver’s rules, we also call on the Government to address the urgent need for more lorry parking areas so that drivers have somewhere secure to rest”. For more information on drivers hours regulations visit:- www.gov.uk/drivers-hours www.gov.uk/government/collections/drivers-hours-rules-and-guidance