Following yesterday’s announcement (11 October, 2017) in Westminster Hall that HGV drivers are to be fined by DVSA if they take their full weekly rest break in their cabs from 1 November 2017, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) is calling for evidence from road users to help highlight the inconsistency in standards of rest facilities available across the UK.

FTA is campaigning for urgent action to provide more secure, safe and good quality rest areas for drivers close to major routes, to prevent HGV operators from being forced to take their mandated rest in their cabs.  And to reinforce the argument that an increased amount of decent quality, cost-effective rest stops is required for HGV drivers nationwide, FTA is asking for photographs of the facilities encountered by drivers to be sent to the association’s @newsfromfta Twitter account with the hashtag #ftarest.

“We fully support the need for drivers to step away from their cabs to take their rest breaks,” said Malcolm Bingham, Head of Road Network Policy at FTA, “but without a consistent, widespread network of safe and secure rest stops nationwide, drivers will still opt to take rest in their cabs particularly when their fully fitted cab offers a better standard than some accessible amenities.  FTA is calling on government to use common sense in applying the new £300 fines system, to accommodate the fact that in parts of the country, facilities for drivers are substandard, or simply not available."