UICR Declaration - Impact of the economic crisis on European professional drivers

At the end of the two-day meeting in Lyon, the UICR and Renault Trucks  adopted the following resolution: "Professional education and training such as driving safety courses as well as economic driving courses and cargo security courses are very important elements for the road safety. However, it is not enough to reduce the number of accidents on the roads . To achieve this goal, the driver remains the crucial element. A close cooperation between drivers and truck manufacturers, just as we had one during these two days, must be reflected in the delivery of the best technical innovations which facilitate the lives of the driver and thereby improve the safety of all. In this sense, Renault Trucks and the UICR intensify the professional exchange in a cooperation."

We have already experienced this situation:  The Euro norm is getting close enough to touch, but the details are still very blurry.  Euro 4 is getting very close but who knows what to decide?  Words like particle filters, oxidation catalytic converters, subsequent exhaust treatment, fuel injection, nitric oxide reduction and sulphur free diesel are all very familiar but the technology for these things is lacking.  No one builds these kind of motors on the assembly line and the discussions about Euro 5 are already escalating at a high rate.  Those who have fleet renewal to decide upon are not to be envied.  There are few decision-making tools and few facts for the expensive long term planning. The 2003 technical commission of the UICR recommends: Exclude Euro 4 (2005)  and go directly onto Euro 5 in 2007 (Plan 2009) to avoid the same surprises as experienced by Euro 3, excess consumption, minimal tax advantages and the beginning of technical disadvantage.  It is worth thinking about this a little longer in order that the resulting decisions further the interests of professional drivers.

The telematic is described as the third traffic revolution next to railway transport and the invention of the automobile.  Telematic the combination of information technology and data processing. Telematic is equally useful in goods or passenger transport. The technical commission of the UICR requests that our drivers be further educated about all of the possible effects and applications of this system in spite of their apparent aversion to it.  

• Productivity and rationalization
• Work supervision
• Workplace discipline
• Advantages and disadvantages for employees in road transport companies
• Need for fixed agreements

From 2006 there will be new requirements for further education for all professional drivers.  35 hours of further education, spread out in 3 to 5 days, every five years.  For beginners there will be a general education of 8 weeks required (280 hours).  This will positively contribute to the security of quality and improve the image of transportation professionals.  

The UICR continues to support a three year driver's education program. The successful education concept implemented by Switzerland and Germany should be used as an example for national transportation associations.  

The implications and cause of the great responsibility placed on the professional driver of today are barely recognizable by the drivers themselves.  Because of the recent developments in logistics and road transportation laws, combined with the enormous economic pressure, the responsibility needs to be distributed more evenly.
 

The employer and the transportation contractors must be responsible in addition to the driver for complying with regulations and insuring accident free transportation. Employers and transportation contractors must be also made co-responsible in the case of traffic accidents or traffic violations.  Laws concerning traffic, customs clearance and work and rest periods must be accordingly adjusted.  The responsibility for these things can't just be given along with the job order to the driver.
 

These demands will increase the safety of the driver as well as improve his or her physical and psychological well being.  Whoever causes economical or psychological pressure for the driver must also carry the responsibility. Through the involvement of the employer and the transportation contractors in the responsibility, we expect that both of these groups will in turn make it possible for the driver to hold to the laws.  The companies that hold to this will be chosen over others because of their higher quality of work. It is the responsibility of the transportation company to employ good drivers and to give the positions to persons who keep to the regulations and laws.  A transportation company must give their employees rest periods.  The professional driver also must have a certain level of financial security in order to work with the degree of calmness and caution required by his job.  
 

The transport profession must be able to be compared with other professions in the industry.  The responsibility and pressure put on a professional driver must be comparable to other professions in the industry. Permanent damages can be avoided through observing appropriate rest periods and prevention of excessive continuous pressure in the workplace.