So, in order to take your 45 mins break you can either do it in one lump, or split it, 15 mins first, then a 30 mins.
But you arent allowed to take a 30 min first, and then a 15, you always have to take the 30 minute as the second stint. I understand THAT, but what I dont understand is WHY? … What reason did they decide to do it this way? What difference does it make which way round it`s taken as long as it is taken, what idea/reason is behind us having to do it this way?
I dont have a problem with rules as such but I do have a problem when the reason isnt clear, and no one seems to know “WHY” it has to be done that way. Surely there is someone out there who knows why its done like this? If its a valid point then fair enough, but I want to know why?
My guess would be to ensure you had a decent length break somewhere around the middle of your shift.
If you were allowed to do it the other way around, you could take 30 mins within an hour or so of starting your day, and then just a 15 after say 6 hours of work (including 4.5 hours of driving), and then set off for another 4.5 hours of driving.
I guess doing it the other way would leave it wide open to abuse not that it isn’t already I.e getting a 15 in whilst doing other work… I once eat my chocolate bar before eating my crisps and it didn’t feel right
Evil8Beezle:
My guess would be to ensure you had a decent length break somewhere around the middle of your shift.
If you were allowed to do it the other way around, you could take 30 mins within an hour or so of starting your day, and then just a 15 after say 6 hours of work (including 4.5 hours of driving), and then set off for another 4.5 hours of driving.
We need protecting from ourselves and our bosses!
Hmmmmmm. Ok, yes that DOES make a bit of sense I suppose, as yes you could push the limits that way, and you`re not far wrong, from reading some threads on TN some people most certainly do need protecting from themselves
pickandmix:
I’d guess it’s so you have the longest rest last.
Michael Douglas:
I’d have preferred it if they’d have kept the old rules of being able to split it in to three 15s!
Yeah I`ve heard other drivers say you could do that, did that work better?
Berty:
I guess doing it the other way would leave it wide open to abuse not that it isn’t already I.e getting a 15 in whilst doing other work… I once eat my chocolate bar before eating my crisps and it didn’t feel right
No, Im sure theres no one out there who`d dream of putting it on rest while doing other duties … Chocolate before crisps!!! You heathen you
Evil8Beezle:
My guess would be to ensure you had a decent length break somewhere around the middle of your shift.
If you were allowed to do it the other way around, you could take 30 mins within an hour or so of starting your day, and then just a 15 after say 6 hours of work (including 4.5 hours of driving), and then set off for another 4.5 hours of driving.
We need protecting from ourselves and our bosses!
Hmmmmmm. Ok, yes that DOES make a bit of sense I suppose, as yes you could push the limits that way, and you`re not far wrong, from reading some threads on TN some people most certainly do need protecting from themselves
pickandmix:
I’d guess it’s so you have the longest rest last.
Under the old rules a driver could do 1 min of driving - take 30 min break - then do 4 hr 29 min driving - take 15 min break - then do 4 hr 30 min driving
That was 8 hr 59 min driving with only a 15 min break
ROG:
Under the old rules a driver could do 1 min of driving - take 30 min break - then do 4 hr 29 min driving - take 15 min break - then do 4 hr 30 min driving
That was 8 hr 59 min driving with only a 15 min break
That’s right, and that’s what folk used to do- start work, move the truck onto the loading position, take a 30 minute break while it was being loaded and then set off on a day’s work with only a 15 minute break. That’s why it was stopped.
ROG:
Under the old rules a driver could do 1 min of driving - take 30 min break - then do 4 hr 29 min driving - take 15 min break - then do 4 hr 30 min driving
That was 8 hr 59 min driving with only a 15 min break
This is it bang on. I used to have a night out at betts in Colchester, wake up, reverse in the bay, put it on break for half hour while they load me, then off to Middleton with no more than a 15 min break, normally around Worksop
I dont have a problem with rules as such but I do have a problem when the reason isnt clear, and no one seems to know “WHY” it has to be done that way. Surely there is someone out there who knows why its done like this? If its a valid point then fair enough, but I want to know why?
Under the old rules a driver could do 1 min of driving - take 30 min break - then do 4 hr 29 min driving - take 15 min break - then do 4 hr 30 min driving
That was 8 hr 59 min driving with only a 15 min break
There is a brief explantion of this on the European legislation website but I’m damned if I can find it. ROG sums up the actual reason why they introduced the rule.
tango boy:
Before the change if I remember you could have a 20 min break and then a 25 min break.
Those 15 min breaks were handy when on multi drop.
You could split it any way you liked as long as each break period was at least 15 minutes and you had a total of at least 45 minutes before reaching 4.5 hours driving. A 20+25 split suited me well, as did 15+15+15.
ROG:
Under the old rules a driver could do 1 min of driving - take 30 min break - then do 4 hr 29 min driving - take 15 min break - then do 4 hr 30 min driving
That was 8 hr 59 min driving with only a 15 min break
That’s right, and that’s what folk used to do- start work, move the truck onto the loading position, take a 30 minute break while it was being loaded and then set off on a day’s work with only a 15 minute break. That’s why it was stopped.
ROG:
Under the old rules a driver could do 1 min of driving - take 30 min break - then do 4 hr 29 min driving - take 15 min break - then do 4 hr 30 min driving
That was 8 hr 59 min driving with only a 15 min break
As I remember it the uk interpretation was no aggregate driving time anywhere in a shift which exceeded 4.5 hours without 45 minutes break taken as a lump or seperate units. On that note the clarified/revised interpretation seems a retrograde move.
What is it with drivers attitudes looking upon breaks as a bad point, or something that you ‘have to get in’ they are there for your welfare, convenience, and safety ffs.
Is it conscientiousness, stupidity, succumbing to pressure to achieve a heavy workload, or a combination of all three.
The ■■■■ world will not end if Tesco don’t get their bog rolls for 8 am precisely.
Breaks are for your benefit, and 9 times out of 10 if you don’t take them they still take the time off you anyway.
I’m not saying that I have never put it on break while tipping or loading etc, but if I have, I sure as hell make sure I make it up later on at my own conveniece.
Also for those who get paid right through, surely you still take them do you not?
It’s like taking the 11 hours off thing as an exception rather than the rule, the rule being 9.
As long as drivers are willing to take the turkey voting for Christmas options, and willinglly , the job will always be crap.
On that note the clarified/revised interpretation seems a retrograde move.
they are there for your welfare, convenience, and safety ffs.