The European Commission has proposed revising the law on tachographs

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with the aim of allowing the transport sector derives from the fruit of the opportunities offered by new technologies such as satellite positioning systems and update a regulatory framework that dates back to 26 years ago, that the regulations of 20 December 1985 on the harmonization of certain social legislation relating to road transport (b. 3820) and recording equipment in road transport sector (No. 3821).

According to the Commission, the adoption of new technologies would make it harder for fraud and at the same time make it possible to reduce the administrative burden allowing trucking companies to save a total of 515 million euros a year.Besides - he explained the Commission - the new technologies would achieve greater compliance with the rules on driving times and rest periods, thereby improving the health of truck drivers, ensuring better road safety and ensuring fair competition situation on the roads.

Brussels said that in 2006 the installation of digital tachographs has been made compulsory for new vehicles in the factory and are currently six million European trucks and buses equipped with tachographs.

"The rules on driving time and rest - said the EU Commission Vice-President, Siim Kallas, responsible for transport - they are there to protect drivers and other road users. They also ensure fair competition and good working conditions for drivers. The digital tachograph is a very good monitoring tool to ensure that these objectives are met. This proposal is very important not only to ensure the reliability of the digital tachograph, but also constitutes a significant step towards the introduction of an intelligent and integrated with the trucks that will help improve the efficiency of the transport system of 'European Union'.

The proposal provides, among other things, the registration of the position of locations via a satellite positioning system that will replace the automatic with a manual recording. According to Commission estimates, this would allow the environment of saving 349 million euros per year and will also provide important information to organize the supply chain.

In addition, remote communication systems will increase the efficiency of traffic controls that can be targeted on those vehicles that are most likely not be in compliance with regulations. This - he said the Commission - will allow drivers in order to be stopped less frequently and be subject to less administrative work for a savings of 34.5 million euros a year.

The proposal provides the highest standards in garages authorized installation and calibration of tachographs in order to reduce fraud and manipulation and also provides the simultaneous use of the tachograph and driver's license that the driver card, necessary for driving vehicles fitted with digital tachograph in order to limit the misuse of driver cards currently - the Commission stated - too easily are also used by drivers who are not owners.