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Digital tachographs over-record time driven by lorry drivers, says the Road Haulage Association.
“The new digital tachographs are fundamentally flawed and unreliable. We have demonstrated that, under a range of circumstances, they will show that the driver spent more time driving than was actually the case because they have ‘rounded up’ part-minutes to full minutes," says RHA chief executive Roger King. "Hauliers are losing productivity as a result."
“We need urgent clarification of what is VOSA’s approach on enforcement, and I have written to VOSA chief executive Stephen Tetlow.
“In the meantime, we are advising operators that they should be aware that trucks fitted with digital tachographs are liable to record an inflated driving time and that the attitude of law enforcers is uncertain.”
The RHA carried out a study, in conjunction with Volvo Trucks, that involved two trucks doing identical work, back to back. The vehicle fitted with the digital tachograph recorded significantly more driving time than that of the analogue tachograph. The issue is particularly clear in operations such as multi-drop.
Full results of the study will be published in Roadway magazine’s April issue.
King revealed the finding at an IRU meeting in Brussels last Thursday. Strong concern was shown by delegates, including Denmark, where a survey done with hauliers produced similar results, and from France, which has requested that operators be given the option to have analogue tachographs in new trucks, until such time as this issue is resolved.
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