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The British government is considering drastically increasing the fine for a weekly break in cabin

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Penalties for foreign drivers sleeping in the truck cabins by the road could rise to 3 thousand pounds. The government is considering a substantial increase in fines for foreign carriers who ignore the rules regarding the weekly rest.

Jesse Norman, Undersecretary of State in the British Ministry of Transport told a parliamentarian from Kent, Gordon Henderson, that penalties for spending a regular weekly rest can increase from 300 to 3 thousand pounds.

The government is considering an increase due to the complaints of British carriers. According to them the fine in the UK is disproportionate in comparison with fines in other European countries – informs kentonline.co.uk.

Parliament members from Sittingbourne and Sheppey expressed their objections regarding the fines during a debate in the Parliament. In their opinion, it is unfair that the British have to pay much higher fines for violating the same ban than foreign entrepreneurs on British isles. Sanctions in force in France could be presented as an example here. Spending a 45-hour rest in the truck can end in a fine of up to 26 thousand pounds (30 thousand euros).

We are considering increasing the penalties. Potentially, as fines for offenses against the traffic safety they could amount even up to 3 thousand pounds – said Norman.

We will keep you up-to-date on further details.

Ban on sleeping in cabin

In September this year DSVA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Safety) announced in a press release that they will be introducing fines for spending the 45-hour break in the cab of a truck. „Fines are supposed to stop drivers from having an inadequate rest” – we can read.
„According to the DSVA information, from November 1 this year agency officials will punish drivers who spend their weekly rest in the truck cab in places where it can cause problems with a 300 pounds fine. „”For example, if a truck driver spends the break in the truck cab while staying in a lay-by”” – explains the agency.

In the opinion of DSVA a weekend break in a cab prevents the driver from resting properly and involves poor living conditions.”

Fines for the 45-hour rest up to 28 days retroactively

Right now the DSVA agency officials can only issue a fine to a driver caught in the act (for infringement on a given day or for an offense that is still ongoing – e.g. the tachograph manipulation). However, truckers could end up in court for violations from the past 30 days.

„In an official statement DSVA emphasises that, according to the new regulations which will come into force on 1 November this year drivers could be punished with up to 5 fines, 300 pounds each (1.5 thousand pounds in total), no matter the country in which they violated the law. It’s all about breaking the rules determining the working time and rest.
If the officials, upon inspection, find 6 or more offenses, the matter will end up in court.”

The regulations will also apply to the foreign truck drivers. The offenders will have to pay the fine immediately after receiving it. Otherwise, they will not be able to continue driving and the vehicle will be immobilised.

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