DRIVERS’ REST PERIOD

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27917, 14 March 1956, Page 16

DRIVERS’ REST PERIOD

APPLICATION FOR RELAXATION BOARD AND UNION TO MEET If the application for a z substantial variation of the Transport Licensing Regulations was to succeed, it had to be backed by convincing evidence that it was in the public interest and not merely the interest of the Christchurch Transport Board. This statement was made on behalf of the Transport Department before the Christchurch Metropolitan Licensing Authority yesterday decided to adjourn for six weeks the board’s application for a reduction of the 10hour rest period for bus drivers required under the regulations, to eight hours on one day each week for the change of shifts and on race days and Show Day. The board’s manager had been informed that if the application was withdrawn, a special meeting of the union would be held to discuss certain relaxations and then to approach the national executive to regard it as a local matter, said Mr L. C. J. Southcn (for the Tramway Employees’ Union). The board now proposed an adjournment of the application for four weeks but the proposal was received too late on Monday to be referred to the union and the Drivers’ Union. The board could not withdraw its application, because relaxation of the regulations was essential, said Mr W. K. L. Dougall. Mr B. A. Barrer (Drivers’ Union) said the union would offer no opposition if the authority decided to grant the application. Submissions of a general nature and intended to convey , the department’s views on the need ’ for driving-hour regulations were made by Mr M. W. Croy, investigating officer of the Transport Department. Driving hours were introduced as a very necessary measure towards road safety. Whereas licensing authorities had jurisdiction to provide relief by way of exemption from the driving hour regulations, in every case they had to be persuaded by cogent and preece evidence. The number of injury accidents caused by drivers classified as sleepy, asleep or fatigued were: 1952, 82: 1953, 107; 1954 116. The record of licensed passenger transport was comparatively good, that being due to a large extent to licensed transport being subject to the driving hour regulations. “It' is significant that exemptions generally apply to rural carriers engaged in the cartage of grain and livestock and apply to seasonal peak periods.” said Mr Croy. “In such cases, the relief granted is normally an extension of driving hours and not a reduction of rest periods. “An applicant desiring to reduce the period of rest given to its drivers should be required to discharge a heavy burden of proof on the need or desirability in the public interest to do so; and in the case of a passenger service organisation, it is submitted that this burden must be an even heavier one than it would be in the case of goods service operators.” After a conference with the parties, the chairman (Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.) said the Authority had come to the conclusion that the application should be adjourned, not for too long. : it hoped that the parties could meet ■ and assist the Authority with some recommendation, as the case was of some, national importance.