Tachos on the spot fines

[Supertractorman]

I was talking to an LGV Driver who works for Exel Logistics and he was telling me they have received an instruction from their local bosses that VOSA have the authority to issue on the spot fines of between ?30 & ?60 from 1 Jan 2009 for minor tacho infringements on roadside checks. Anybody else heard this ?.

David

[Matt]

Yes heard somthing similar. Talking to a VOSA chap in Chester a while back, he was saying they were getting more powers. He was talking more about the forign drivers though. On the spot fines and impounding trucks untill the fines are paid..

[johnpirate]

They would be screwed with me I have no money .I had a bump years ago got a driving with out due care .The magistrate said ?150 fine I burst out laughing. When he asked why I said "I,m a single parent living hand to mouth just about surviving .Some weeks I dont make it .You might as well send me down now and keep my daughter in care whilst I,m in,"He made me pay at ?5 a week and gave me two months till after xmas so I could buy presents for my daughter.

[Ray Smith]

Minor tacho offences "should" be avoidable:question3:

The extra powers given to VOSA are in an attempt to tackle foreign drivers, who are never followed up or prosecuted once they return home.

However, I expect VOSA will still concentrate on east targets i.e british coach and lorry drivers.

They will be working in a performance related regime, in order to keep their jobs. Therefore "what gets measured gets done". If issuing on the spot tickets is a key performance indicator (and it will be) they will be as popular as traffic wardens.

In theory:- If you stick rigidly to the rules there are going to be a lot of coaches and passengers parked up on service areas and lay by's with disgruntled boses.

In practice:- You will continue running the gauntlet to keep your jobs; because the owners see this as a legitimate means of profit making, at the expense of YOUR licence.:sweat3:

Its the owners that need educating not the drivers.:devil3:

Sorry for the rant, but I feel better now:stop3:

[Supertractorman]

Thanks all for the response.
Ray, I agree with many of your comments, the point now that concerns me is that when you take 32 minutes mainly on a 30 minute break, and then take a 29 minute break in error then the "Jobsworths" will be happy to fine you. The other problem is of course as the economy gets tighter then unscrupulous Bosses will try and screw Drivers into doing more than they should. I am glad I am not young and starting out now in the Transport industry.

David