From November 1st 2017 the DVSA will start to sanctioned rivers who take weekly rest breaks in cabs outside formal rest areas (ie. service areas and truck stops).
Penalties will include :-
Financial – incl. fixed penalty notices of £300.00
Prohibitions on the driver until the full weekly rest is properly taken
Reporting operators to their licencing authorities, including abroad
There will be no sanctions related to using the cab for sleeping during limited weekly rests and overnight rests.
The RHA suggests that where weekend rests are taken in paid lorry parking facilities that drivers keep receipts to demonstrate they have parked appropriately.
We will be following closely developments of what effect these changes have on drivers habits and if we see any positive or negative outcomes.
Watch this space as we interpret events as they happen.
The Jordon Team