Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Driving Regulations.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

186 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the regulations governing the working hours and conditions of coach drivers; if she has satisfied herself that these regulations are being enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9787/99]

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

190 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the regulations governing the hours a coach driver can work; if she has satisfied herself these regulations are being enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9798/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 190 together.

My Department is responsible for enforcement of European Union regulations concerning tachographs in heavy goods vehicles and road passenger vehicles (buses and coaches). The regulations, inter alia, set down comprehensive rules with regard to driving times and rest periods. Council Regulations Nos. 3820/85/EEC and 3821/85/EEC and S.I. nos. 392 and 393 of 1986 refer. A detailed breakdown of driving hours and rest periods for bus and coach drivers follows at Appendix “A”.

My Department has a transport inspectorate of nine transport officers who are engaged full time on the detection and prosecution of breaches of the tachograph regulations and other offences under the Road Transport Acts.

Transport officers conduct regular roadside checkpoints and visit operators' premises to ensure the highest possible level of compliance with the regulations. They also fulfil an educational role in helping drivers and operators to understand their obligations under the regulations and are often invited to visit operators premises to update staff on the requirements of the legislation and to emphasise the need for compliance.

In an effort to heighten awareness among drivers and employers, transport officers conduct roadside checks at regular intervals. These normal roadside checks have been extended through the introduction of more intensive multi-agency checkpoints in co-operation with the gardaí, Cus toms and Excise, the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health. This new enforcement focus is proving to be effective in detecting breaches of the regulations.

My Department has responsibility for drivers hours and rest periods. I have no responsibility for working hours and working conditions of bus and coach drivers.

Appendix "A"

DRIVERS HOURS-PASSENGER VEHICLES (REGULATION 3820/85/EC)

Daily driving period	Nine hoursMay be extended to ten hours twice a week.
Total driving time without a break	Four hours 30 minutes
Breaks from driving	45 minutes(May be broken into breaks of at least 15 minutes each distributed over the driving period or immediately after it).
Weekly driving (maximum)	56 hours on regular services only (equivalent to six daily driving periods)
Fortnightly driving (maximum)	90 hours on regular services112 hours on non-regular services (equivalent to twelve daily driving periods)
Daily rest (24 hour period)	11 hours
1 driver	(a) reducible to nine hours three times a week provided compensation of an equivalent period of rest is taken before the end of the following weekor(b) when rest is not reduced the daily rest period may be taken in two or three separate periods provided one is of at least eight consecutive hours. In this case the rest is increased to 12 hours.Eight hours (consecutive) in each 30 hour period.
2 drivers (weekly rest)	45 hours on regular services,(a) reducible to 36 hours if taken at baseor(b) 24 hours if taken elsewhere provided compensation of an equivalent rest is taken en bloc before the end of the third week following the week in question,or90 hours taken at the end of a 12 day driving period on an international non regular service.