Brussels, 19/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - EU Member States have been warned - May 2006 is the final deadline as far as the European Commission is concerned for them to introduce digital tachographs for new vehicles driven in the EU. EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot explains in a letter to Member States: “The digital tachograph is indispensable for enforcing driving times and rest periods of professional drivers. Its introduction will improve road safety and the social conditions of truck drivers in Europe. It is important to co-ordinate its introduction which must happen at the latest by May 2006.” In the letter, Barrot 'asked the Member States to provide the Commission by 1 March 2006 with a detailed and complete overview of the preparations at national level, including confirmation that they will be ready to put in place the necessary arrangements in due time,' explains a European Commission press release.
'The introduction of the digital tachograph requires a clear and firm deadline in order to ensure that all concerned are fully prepared and that the transition from the analogue to the digital model proceeds smoothly,' explains the Commission. The Commission welcomed the firm intention expressed by the European Parliament and the Council at the Conciliation Committee of 6 December 2005 to 'undertake every effort' to finalise the new EU Regulation, which would impose the mandatory introduction of the digital tachograph from early May 2006 onwards (namely twenty days following publication of the legal text in the EU Official Journal, which would bring the introduction date to May 2006). The Commission comments that it sees May 2006 as the final introduction date that will allow the transport sector to organise a smooth transition. 'The Commission is concerned to hear that a number of Member States are behind schedule in establishing the national legislation and the administrative framework required for the compulsory introduction of the digital tachograph. A further delay is unacceptable given the long period of preparation that Member States have already enjoyed. It is a reason for serious concern because any further delay will severely affect the economies of the countries concerned. The Commission therefore urges those Member States to put maximum effort in putting in place the necessary arrangements in time.' (The Commission has decided not to name and shame here.)
Once the compulsory digital tachograph legislation comes into force in May 2006, 'new trucks registered after May 2006that do not have an operating digital tachograph can be blocked at any time. Drivers who drive without a driver card risk prosecution,' explains the Commission, explaining that the 'digital tachograph is widely available. New vehicles are being offered with standard fitting of the new equipment. The majority of the Member States have started to issue tachograph cards and transport operators have started to use vehicles equipped with the new tachograph in daily operations.'