This week Britain’s main road regulator has said that more than 440 lorries which crossed into the UK had manipulated their tachographs.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) also estimates that another 400 drivers were cheating the system using ‘interrupter’ technology which switched off their tachographs. This figure was reached through 223,000 roadside checks performed between April 2016 and March 2017.

A spokeswoman for the DVSA said:

"The results of falling asleep at the wheel of 44-tonne lorry can be devastating to families and communities. Anything that means a driver can drive tired and we might not know about it or stop it is a worry. That's what we are here for, to keep the roads safe."

The checks found that there was a 21% increase in drivers who had manipulated tachographs compared to the same period in 2015/2016. 

Truck Safety Risks

The ‘interrupters’ are being mainly used by drivers who cross by freight ferry into the UK from Europe.

One of the worst findings was in North Wales where the DVSA discovered a driver from Bulgaria with a manipulated tachograph had driven for 23 hours non-stop.

There is added danger because the interrupters disable a lorry's advanced braking systems and speedometers when they are being used.

The Department for Transport added there were 400,000 HGVs licensed in the UK at the end of 2016 and estimates there are 20,000 foreign registered HGVs in the UK at any given time.

Trade bodies and road transport unions say hauliers are willing to take the risk of getting caught with amended technology, despite the fact they could end up with a fine of around £5000.

Duo Tachograph Technology

Freightlink reached out to Stoneridge Electronics who, thanks to their Duo tachograph technology, see less infringements with their technology than many others. Duo technology in the SE5000 Exakt Duo2 provides real-time updates on driving and rest times to help drivers track their journeys, make informed decisions and stay the right side of legislation.

"We examined data from 108 drivers over 90 days of similar driving with and without Duo technology and we found up to 60% reduction in infringements – the kind of results that would put a smile on any operators face."

- Amanda Robertson, VP Aftermarket Sales Stoneridge Electronics.

With fewer infringements, you'll enjoy noticeable reductions in the fines you face – saving your business valuable capital.