Drivers’ Hours regs relaxation – good news for consumers says RHA

18th March 2020

The RHA is pleased that the Department for Transport has acknowledged the vital contribution that UK hauliers play in keeping the economy moving during the coronavirus pandemic by relaxing the Drivers’ Hours regulations..

Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “As far as the logistics industry is concerned, we are working as efficiently and as quickly as the current situation allows.

“Despite the public perception, shortages are not the problem – the problem lies with supplying the current unprecedented demand for goods. As a result, the usual efficient and cost-effective delivery schedules have gone out of the window.

“The relaxation in Drivers’ Hours regulations currently applies to those responsible for the movement of essential items including- food, non-food, personal care and household paper and cleaning products and over the counter medicines. We need an relaxation on a wider basis to cover allparts of the supply chain. But there needs to be guidance as to when and how this will be applied.

“We are living and working in very uncertain times but the nation will always need to be fed. We represent the operators of commercial vehicles who in turn, are responsible for moving the entire UK economy. We will keep working closely with the relevant government departments to ensure that continues to be the case.”

-ENDS-