Tougher restrictions on working hours for van drivers
VAN drivers could face tougher restrictions on the number of hours they can spend behind the wheel.
The government has launched a wide-ranging consultation on the hours many van, bus and other professional drivers can work – and the driving time limits and statutory breaks that apply to heavy truck drivers could be extended to drivers of smaller vehicles.
Transport Minister Paul Clark said the consultation was intended to improve road safety, promote good working conditions and ensure fair competition between operators.
“The domestic drivers’ hours rules affect thousands of workers across the UK so it is vital that they are effective in keeping drivers, passengers and other road users safe. This is a wide-ranging consultation and we want to hear from as many drivers, operators and fleet managers as possible so that we can understand how the rules are working on the ground,” Clark said. The consultation will close on October 13, 2009.
The consultation covers the UK domestic drivers