Lorry Drivers - Tachograph Limits
Discussion
Interested in some experiences from any lorry drivers on here regarding a minor drama this morning. I needed to get fuel on the way to work so popped into a Shell station just off the A2 at Gravesend. As I came off the roundabout I got caught behind a Dutch lorry heading to the same station. The lorry pumps are all occupied, so we as we get to the forecourt, he stops, blocking the entire entrance.
I wait behind him, guessing he's just going to go past and park up out of the way for a bit, but he sits there a bit longer, still blocking the entrance. By this time, several vans and cars have pulled up behind me, also trying to get into the station. He hasn't moved, then his hazards come on. Tooting ensues.
He eventually backs up a bit so he can get onto the forecourt, and pulls onto it out of the way of the pumps...but he is now stopped across the entire parking area, which is full, blocking in several cars. I can now get around him to the pumps, so I do so.
Whilst I'm filling up, one of the station attendants comes out and starts talking to the lorry passenger (there's two people in the cab). I'm kind of watching idly, not paying much attention, but it evidently starts to get a bit heated. One of the people who is blocked in has returned to her car and now needs to get out. Another attendant comes out and also starts remonstrating with the driver in the cab. More tooting ensues.
I go inside to pay by which time the first attendant is back at the cash desk, so I ask him what's going on. Apparently the driver has said he's not moving as he's hit his tachograph limit and needs to stop. As I get back into my car and leave, the driver apparently finally concedes to move backwards out of the station unblocking some rather angry look car drivers.
My query is about the use of tachographs - are they really so restrictive that some drivers would rather stop dead in such a situation and refuse to move, even when causing an obstruction? Is there no allowance for manoeuvring, or getting yourself to a safe resting spot before coming to a stop? What are the penalties for exceeding your time limits, and would they still apply if you could prove you absolutely had to move? And is it common for drivers to suddenly find themselves reaching their limit, or is there any kind of advance warning to allow them to find a safe area to stop?
Just posting out of curiosity really.
I wait behind him, guessing he's just going to go past and park up out of the way for a bit, but he sits there a bit longer, still blocking the entrance. By this time, several vans and cars have pulled up behind me, also trying to get into the station. He hasn't moved, then his hazards come on. Tooting ensues.
He eventually backs up a bit so he can get onto the forecourt, and pulls onto it out of the way of the pumps...but he is now stopped across the entire parking area, which is full, blocking in several cars. I can now get around him to the pumps, so I do so.
Whilst I'm filling up, one of the station attendants comes out and starts talking to the lorry passenger (there's two people in the cab). I'm kind of watching idly, not paying much attention, but it evidently starts to get a bit heated. One of the people who is blocked in has returned to her car and now needs to get out. Another attendant comes out and also starts remonstrating with the driver in the cab. More tooting ensues.
I go inside to pay by which time the first attendant is back at the cash desk, so I ask him what's going on. Apparently the driver has said he's not moving as he's hit his tachograph limit and needs to stop. As I get back into my car and leave, the driver apparently finally concedes to move backwards out of the station unblocking some rather angry look car drivers.
My query is about the use of tachographs - are they really so restrictive that some drivers would rather stop dead in such a situation and refuse to move, even when causing an obstruction? Is there no allowance for manoeuvring, or getting yourself to a safe resting spot before coming to a stop? What are the penalties for exceeding your time limits, and would they still apply if you could prove you absolutely had to move? And is it common for drivers to suddenly find themselves reaching their limit, or is there any kind of advance warning to allow them to find a safe area to stop?
Just posting out of curiosity really.
Edited by Conscript on Friday 17th November 10:32
the mac said:
Tachographs as such have largely been done away with unless it’s an old truck, you now have a tacho digital card a bit like your driving license which you insert into the tacho in the truck.
So everything you do is downloaded onto your card and will hold 28 days worth of work, at the push of a button the tacho machine will tell you how long you have been driving and how long till you need a break, it will also start flashing when you have 15 mins drive time remaining. As I’m sure you can imagine it’s not always easy finding somewhere to park an artic for a 45 min break particularly if you are in a city however you certainly know it’s coming and unless your certain of a place to park it’s never wise to run up to your limit(4.5hrs)
As for moving the vehicle whilst on a break you would get an infringement on your card for this, technically it’s not the end of the world however if stopped at some point by police/dvsa you will get grief but not necessarily fined if it’s a one off and you don’t have a pattern of doing this. The difficulty always is when the worst thing happens like being involved in a fatal accident that interrupted break becomes a lot more serious!
There is a lot more to it but hopefully that answers your question.
It does indeed, thanks So everything you do is downloaded onto your card and will hold 28 days worth of work, at the push of a button the tacho machine will tell you how long you have been driving and how long till you need a break, it will also start flashing when you have 15 mins drive time remaining. As I’m sure you can imagine it’s not always easy finding somewhere to park an artic for a 45 min break particularly if you are in a city however you certainly know it’s coming and unless your certain of a place to park it’s never wise to run up to your limit(4.5hrs)
As for moving the vehicle whilst on a break you would get an infringement on your card for this, technically it’s not the end of the world however if stopped at some point by police/dvsa you will get grief but not necessarily fined if it’s a one off and you don’t have a pattern of doing this. The difficulty always is when the worst thing happens like being involved in a fatal accident that interrupted break becomes a lot more serious!
There is a lot more to it but hopefully that answers your question.
Yes, I sympathise that it must be a right faff finding somewhere to stop safely. But equally, I couldn't believe that a driver would be so restricted that he'd just dump his lorry blocking lots of people then when asked to move, just be like "sorry, tacho, lol".
Helpful responses. Thanks, both
Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff