Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2004
54 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a study presented to the environmental health conference 2004 in Dublin showing that 20% of truck drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel; the procedures in place to restrict driving times for truck drivers; his views on their effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15891/04]
View answerI understand that the study referred to by the Deputy in a paper entitled "Assessing Occupational Health and Safety of Heavy Goods Vehicles' Drivers and the Risk of Sleep Deprivation" which was presented by a student from Ulster University, Jordanstown, as a research paper at the joint annual conference of environmental health officers held in Dublin on 13 and 14 May 2004. I have not had sight of the paper as yet. A copy has been requested from the conference organisation.
The road haulage division of my Department is responsible for the enforcement of EU rules governing drivers' hours, breaks and rest periods for commercial drivers. Tachograph devices are fitted to the cabs of trucks and buses to record information on the driver's activities for the purpose of checking compliance with the drivers' hours rules. These rules promote road safety by setting limits on the hours worked by drivers of heavy goods and large passenger vehicles.
There are currently nine transport officers engaged full time on enforcement of these rules. The rules are also enforced by the Garda. Transport officers enforce the rules through roadside checkpoints and visits to operator premises. In recent years my Department has significantly increased the level of roadside checkpoints for enforcement of tachograph regulations. In addition, the level of multi agency checkpoints, which include inspectors from Revenue and other agencies as appropriate, was increased from 44 in 2002 to 98 in 2003. A total of 104 multi agency checkpoints have been scheduled for 2004. I am satisfied that these measures will help to ensure increased compliance with drivers' hours rules and contribute significantly to the promotion of road safety.
