Van hours regs move is a non-starter
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TI LE QUESTION OF Working Hours for Light Vehicles is an important one, not least of all for road safety ('Vans on the Approach'. CM 1 April). What surprised me most about the article was the almost complete absence of comments from the people who actually drive these vans, be it on own-account deliveries or hire and reward, because they are the only ones with up-todate experience.
It is amazing how vague and unrealistic the present British domestic rules, or whatever they are called, are. It is almost as if someone with a strong vested interest in a 'free for all' was responsible for them! However, talk of compulsory tachographs or a kind of operator licensing is a non-starter in reality.
As is the suggestion that a vocational licence holder would he subject to this driving his personal van back home from the depot. Not that there haven't been difficulties in the past where the employer's light vehicle or car has been used to move drivers down the road 'off the card' to 'extend' driving time.
If hours are restricted, what happens when they are out of time? Who would pay for the hotel room and meals etc? No vans have sleeper cabs. I have slept in an Escort van all over Europe and it was purgatory. You had to leave the engine on all night during winter, and the curved bulkhead behind the seats cracks you on the head each time you move. Lying across the seats in a Transit cab is better, but awkward to get dressed and undressed in — I suggest you try it some time!
Light transport is a jungle and more regulation is long overdue. But maybe I wouldn't agree if I wasn't retired from it as I am today.
Name and address withheEd
Ed's note: CM did contact several van fleet operators, but all declined to take part in our panel.
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