EC's demands are simply unrealistic
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AS YOU POINTED out under the heading "More EU tacho confusion" (CM 10 March) digital tachographs have been the source of much debate between the European Commission and the European Parliament.
The EC has repeatedly insisted that EU member states should have the system in place to issue drivers cards from as early as May 2005, and that all new vehicles should be fitted with digital tachographs from 5 August 2005.
UK manufacturers and industry have informed members of the European Parliament's Transport Committee that this time table is unrealistic. I tabled amendments in the Transport Committee to extend the timetable for the introduction of the new system.
Specifically on brand new vehicles going into service for the first time, I called for a date of August 2006 to be set.
Although this amendment was supported in Committee, I feel this issue will here-visited when the full Parliament votes on the proposals at the beginning of April.
Gary Tilley MEP Member of the European Parlia ment Transport Committee