The government has failed to conduct an impact assessment on the
road safety implications of extending HGV driving hours, despite
pushing through yet another extension to the daily limit for
drivers.
According to Unite, which represents tens of thousands of UK
lorry drivers, the Department for Transport (DfT) has admitted in
correspondence to the union that "there is not an impact
assessment” of the ongoing extension to the maximum number of
hours a lorry driver can drive.
The admission comes as Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham,
works with drivers' reps and stewards from around the country on
a long term plan to force up standards across the industry.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The government’s
admission that it has not assessed the road safety ramifications
of persistent longer hours for lorry drivers is shocking. HGV
drivers and road users can be rightly angry about ministers'
failure to take their safety seriously. Small wonder that this
industry struggles to attract and retain a workforce.
"Unite is working with lorry drivers to address the very real
problems they face, which to date neither the industry nor the
government have shown any interest in addressing."
Unite again raised concerns about driver safety after it was
confirmed that drivers will continue to be allowed to drive for
additional hours until the end of this month (October) with the
expectation this will continue until the end of January. Since
March 2020 HGV driving hours will have been extended for 11 out
of 19 months.
Drivers can now drive for up to 11 hours a day (compared to the
normal maximum of 10 hours) and a total of 99 hours a fortnight
(previously 90), with rest periods also reduced.
Unite has warned that by extending driving hours, workers are at
increased risk of fatigue and the longer the period when driving
hours are increased the greater the cumulative effect of fatigue.
Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “For most of the last
year and a half, lorry drivers have been expected to work
extended hours. Drivers will not return to a sector when the
hours on the road can be extended at a whim by government and
with no proper regard to road safety.
“Drivers are already exhausted and as we enter late autumn and
winter, when driving conditions are poorer, the danger of
accidents will inevitably increase.”
Unite is working with its lorry driver reps and members to
establish an agreed set of demands to fix the recruitment crisis
in the industry for the long-term to be put to the haulage
industry employers.
