New rules allowing truckers to drive for longer each week are ‘dangerous for drivers and everybody else on the road”, according to Dublin TD Paul Murphy.
Earlier this week, a derogation was announced for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers, allowing them to work longer hours.
The increase from 90 hours every fortnight to 112 is aimed at addressing the ongoing driver shortage in the industry which has been magnified by Omicron.
It is due to remain in place until the end of the month.
Road safety
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the change will make the roads more dangerous for everyone using them.
“The rules are there for a reason,” he said. “The rules are there because it’s a dangerous job to be driving a big truck.”
“Drivers fall asleep. I mean, the RSA has a campaign saying tiredness kills. We know that, in a year, there are around 4,000 fatalities as a result of accidents involving trucks.
“There was a study in the summertime which suggested 60% of truck drivers say they feel fatigued when driving. One-in-three say they have fallen asleep at least once in the course of last year. That is obviously very dangerous.
“That is with the rules as they have been. Now, the change that is taking place is going to mean that instead of driving 90 hours over the course of two-week period, drivers could have to drive up to 112 hours along with reduced rest periods.
“It's a 25% increase in the amount of time workers are driving and that is dangerous for them and everybody on the road.”
“Very safe”
Also on the show, The President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) Eugene Drennan said there was nothing unsafe about the derogation.
“There is no fear to road safety in any matter of form of this. It is 11 hours a week so effectively you can work on Saturday,” he said. “You have all the rest-time you need as heretofore.
“The drivers work about four-and-a-half hours then take a 45-minute break before another four-and-a-half hours again.
“They are now allowed one extra hour twice a week above what is normal during the week and they may work a Saturday without the fear of being prosecuted for doing so.
“It is very safe and provides a bit of flexibility to deal with Omicron variant.”
Danger
Deputy Murphy then asked whether the IRHA was prepared to take responsibility if “someone, tragically, is involved in an accident as a result of increased fatigue” in the coming weeks.
“It is driving an extra Saturday, every week, indefinitely, until this derogation is gone,” he said. “It isn’t just this Saturday. It is every Saturday.
“Eugene paints it as if the driver won’t have a fear of being prosecuted. No, the driver now will be put under pressure by his employers, represented by the IRHA, to say you have to drive this extra Saturday.”
"No presure"
Mr Drennan said, “nothing could be further from the truth”.
“There is no pressure,” he said. “People will be getting paid for it. The hands will be up and they will be glad to get a bit of extra work after Christmas.”
The derogation is to be kept under the weekly review and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton has insisted that the safety of drivers and other road users will not be compromised “at any stage”.
You can listen back here.
