Brussels, 05/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - The obligation to fit digital tachographs in certain categories of road vehicles has been deferred till 5 August 2005. These digital appliances, which ensure that professional drivers keep to their driving and rest times in a more reliable way than with the current systems, should have become compulsory from 5 August 2004 in certain vehicles (lorries of over 3.5 tonnes and buses with more than 9 seats), in conformity with the regulation in this connection (EUROPE of 15 June 2002). In a letter dated 19 April and addressed to the Member States of the European Union, Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio explains that it is the delays incurred by the manufacturers of the devices as well as by certain Member States that are at the origin of the moratorium. In compliance with her announcement during the Transport Council of 9 March this year, the Commissioner therefore decided to extend by twelve months the deadline for compulsory introduction of digital tachographs. Until 5 August 2005, digital and analogue systems will therefore exist at the same time on Community territory and no infringement proceedings will be initiated. Digital appliances will only be compulsory after 5 August 2005 but this will not prevent a Member State from bringing them in at an earlier date.