Should we "loosen" the driving time for trucks?

The Automobile Transport Association has just proposed to increase the maximum driving time per week for drivers to 70 hours compared to 48 hours as prescribed by the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, effective from January 1.

However, according to experts, the regulation that drivers are only allowed to work no more than 10 hours/day and total working time no more than 48 hours/week is necessary to ensure traffic safety.

Businesses complain of difficulties

After 2 months of the regulation on working hours of commercial transport drivers not exceeding 10 hours a day and not exceeding 48 hours a week officially taking effect, the work of driver Nguyen Van Huy ( Hai Duong ) was not much affected.

According to the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, which took effect on January 1, drivers are only allowed to work no more than 10 hours a day and no more than 48 hours a week. Illustration: Ta Hai.

"I drive a long-distance truck so I have to comply to ensure safety. I proactively arrange my rest time and source of goods so I'm not too concerned," Huy shared.

Supporting the tightening of regulations on driving hours to ensure traffic safety, however, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung ( Hai Phong ) - who has nearly 5 years of driving experience, is concerned: "The rigid regulation of 48 hours a week is not easy to comply with. Traffic jams or accidents cause traffic congestion, and vehicles are stuck on the road."

Meanwhile, some businesses in passenger and container transport are worried about the impact on revenue and profits.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Khanh, Director of XE Vietnam Co., Ltd., said that over the past two months, the company has continuously posted driver recruitment ads to compensate for the shortage of drivers due to reduced working hours during the week.

However, recruitment has encountered many difficulties, the number of drivers quitting has increased compared to the previous period. The reason is that the number of working hours of drivers per week has decreased, their income has also been affected, decreasing by 20 - 25%.

Regarding the freight transport sector, Mr. Khanh said that previously, a shipment from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City took about 32 hours. With the new regulation, when the limit is 48 hours a week, divided equally, each driver drives 7 hours a day and takes about 2.5 days to complete the shipment.

Proposal to increase driving time

Chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association Nguyen Van Quyen pointed out many problems that affect drivers' driving time such as the unsynchronized road system and frequent traffic jams. Some highways do not have rest stops, so cars have to run continuously until they exit the highway to find a rest stop.

According to a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics Association, many businesses are facing a shortage of drivers, especially drivers with FC licenses. This association believes that the number of working hours of drivers should be adjusted to no more than 12 hours/day and no more than 70 hours/week.

Sharing the same opinion, Mr. Nguyen Van Quyen said that recently the Automobile Transport Association has proposed to increase the maximum driving time in a week to 70 hours.

According to Mr. Quyen, most of the above countries have better quality traffic infrastructure than Vietnam, and the driving time allowed is more than 48 hours per week.

Based on the quality of Vietnam's traffic infrastructure, the association recommends increasing driving time and only imposing fines when driving time continuously and in a day exceeds 10% of the regulation.

Ensure driver health, prevent accidents

Mr. Do Van Bang, Chairman of the Hanoi Transport Association, said that while waiting for competent authorities to study and consider the above proposal, first of all, transport enterprises need to closely manage and monitor working hours and health of drivers, and strengthen traffic safety work within the unit.

Meanwhile, Mr. Khuong Kim Tao, former Deputy Chief of Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee, said: "Transportation businesses operate for profit. Business activities must ensure the safety of traffic participants.

A driver works according to the Labor Law 8 hours a day and 48 hours in 6 working days. Not to mention that driving is stressful, using all the mental, nervous, and muscular power, so it requires supervision to ensure safety.

Sharing the same view, a traffic expert said that many studies have shown that driving continuously for more than 4 hours or working more than 10 hours/day can make drivers tired, stressed, sleepy, potentially causing traffic safety risks.

"The new regulations, when put into effect, may have certain effects and impacts on a number of people and businesses.

However, in reality, recently there has been a situation where businesses contract out trips so drivers work overtime, causing fatigue and lack of alertness while driving, and many accidents have occurred," the expert said, adding that the new regulation will help drivers have time to rest, restore their labor, and avoid being exhausted during peak holidays and Tet, thereby improving safety for each trip.

Transport companies also need to balance and allocate working time for drivers reasonably, ensuring their income. In addition to profit factors and tax obligations to the State, transport companies and drivers also need to demonstrate their social responsibility, joining hands to reduce traffic accidents.

From January 1, according to the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, drivers are only allowed to work no more than 10 hours/day and total working time no more than 48 hours/week. If not complied, both drivers and transport companies will be handled according to Decree 168/2024.

According to Decree 168/2024, drivers of commercial and internal transport vehicles who drive beyond the prescribed time or do not comply with the regulations on rest time between two consecutive drives will be fined 3-5 million VND. The additional penalty is the deduction of 2 driving license points.

In addition, car owners who let their drivers drive continuously beyond the prescribed time will also be fined 4 - 6 million VND (individual) and 8 - 12 million VND (organization).

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/co-nen-noi-thoi-gian-lai-xe-van-tai-192250304142115491.htm