Tachograph
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A tachograph combines the functions of a clock and a speedometer. Fitted to a motor vehicle, a tachograph will record not only the vehicle's speed but also the length of time that it is moving or stationary. The mechanical tachograph writes on a round piece of paper which constantly turns throughout the work day. The marker moves nearer to or further from the center according to the driving speed. An entire rotation encompasses 24 hours.
Analogue tachographs record the driver’s periods of duty on a waxed paper disc. However, these are vulnerable to tampering, and so are being replaced by digital tachographs which record data on smart cards.
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[edit] Recording
The functions of the tachograph encompass recording of driving speed and distance as well as driving and rest time. This device will also record as an EU Control Device.
[edit] Regulations
For reasons of public safety, many jurisdictions have limits on the working hours of drivers of certain vehicles, such as buses and trucks. A tachograph can be used to monitor this and ensure that appropriate breaks are taken.
[edit] German Regulations
With the Verkehs-Sicherungs-Gesetz (Traffic Safety Law) (December 19, 1952), the tachograph was made mandatory in Germany for all commercial vehicles weighing over 7.5 tons. From March 23rd 1953 and December 23rd 1953 on, all new commercial vehicles and buses must be equipped with the device per German law StVZO § 57a.
Tachographs are mandatory for vehicles that are allowed to carry a total weight of over 3.5 tons and vehicles which are built to carry at least 9 passengers as long as the vehicle is being used for commercial purposes. They are used to review the driving vs. rest time of drivers during reviews by traffics standards organizations or accident investigation. A driver must carry the tachograph records with him for all days of the current week and the last day of the previous week that he drove. Companies must keep the tachograph records for 1 year. In Germany, per § 16 of the work time regulations, the time one must keep the records is lengthened to 2 years if the tachograph records will be used as proof of work time.
[edit] EU Regulations
With EWG regulation 3821/85 from December 20, 1985, the device was made mandatory throughout the entire EWG as of September 29, 1986. A "European arrangement in regard to the work of driving personnel engaged in international traffic" (AETR) came into effect internationally on July 31, 1985.
[edit] Manipulations
The tachograph is subject to numerous manipulations such as slightly twisting the marker, blocking the full path of the arm with a piece of rubber or foam, and short-circuiting the unit for short periods. Also the old "forgetting to insert" when beginning the drive and unauthorized changing of the discs are known throughout Europe.
[edit] Accident Investigation
The tachograph indeed serves as a measure to enforce regulations, however it is quite usual in Germany to investigate the tachograph records as a means by which to investigate and punish speeding . This practice was approved by the German high regional court in the 1990's. Furthermore, the discs are often microscopically examined after an accident to reconstruct the exact events that took place at a collision site.
[edit] Digital Tachograph (DTCO)
EU regulation 1360/2002 states that all new applicable vehicles, as laid out in the above section Regulations, made after August 1st 2005 must be fitted with a digital tachograph. This would make the process of manipulation much more difficult through, for example, the vehicle sending signals in an encrypted manner. As of May 1st, 2006, the digital tachograph will be required (as is published in the official newsletter of the European Union L102 from April 11th 2006) for all new vehicles for which EWG regulation VO(EWG)3820/85 applies. This law has already been dismissed and converted to a national law.
[edit] Origins
The tachograph was originally introduced for the railroads so that companies could better document irregularities. The inventor of this technological innovation was Max Maria von Weber, an administrative official, engineer, and author. The Haslar Event recorder was introduced in the 1920s.
The EU regulation is as of 03-29-06 is still in negotiation and has not yet been announced...only after its announcement will it go into effect in Europe.
[edit] Controversy
The Tachograph is being phased out in favour of the electronic log book which records data digitally on a smart card.
Tachographs have been surrounded by controversy since they were first used in the 1930’s by Hitler’s Germany as a result of trade union pressure.
[edit] The case against the tachograph
When the installation and use of tachographs was imposed by the European Union on its member states in the 1980s, both governments and operating companies were opposed on the grounds that they were an expensive and unnecessary item which contributed nothing to road safety. Domestic hours regulations were replaced by European regulations and the new regulations were complicated. It was doubtful whether strict enforcement of these hours regulations would reduce driver fatigue since they were not drawn up on any scientific basis.
Drivers and their trade unions initially opposed the introduction of the tachograph since they feared that an employer would scrutinize the discs to see if the driver had stopped for any reason at all, whether it was to check his vehicle or to go to the toilet. It was feared that the time lost would be deducted from the driver’s pay. A tired driver would therefore be obliged to continue, whereas before the introduction of tachographs he would pull over and take a break. Another reason for opposition is that drivers of vehicles with tachographs tend to exceed speed limits in order to reach their destination within the time permitted.
[edit] The case for the tachograph
Today’s operators see the tachograph as a leveller; a device which ensures that there is no unfair competition from unscrupulous companies who force their drivers to work excessive hours.
Trade unions and drivers have also come out in favour of the tachograph since it has become an important lever against such employers. The discs (or photocopies of them) are often used in tribunals as proof when claiming for unpaid work. In the event of an accident the tachograph has become indispensable when backing up the driver’s version of events since the person who caused the accident invariably blames the truck or bus driver and eye witnesses tend to exaggerate the speed of a vehicle. Trades unions have always considered their drivers to be professionals and take a dim view of anyone who exceeds speed limits or permitted hours.
A fear that tachographs are ineffective on the grounds that it’s easy to falsify readings by tampering with them has been allayed, since it’s actually easy to spot any such attempt.
[edit] See also
- Taximeter
- Tachometer
- Odometer
- Trutac - A Tachograph Analysis Organisation Based in the United Kingdom
