NEW driving legislation introduced this month could lead to many haulage firms ending up with stiff fines.

That's the fear of the Institute of Transport Administration, which says that the Working Time Legislation has not been publicised enough and that some drivers and firms may not be aware of all that it entails.

The legislation maintains existing tachograph laws which measure the amount of time each day a driver can be on the road and the speed of lorries.

But it also states that drivers must not exceed more than 48 hours of driving a week, on average, and absolutely no more than 60 hours in a single week.

In addition, no more than 10 hours can be driven in a 24-hour period.

In a bid to help, drivers road transport firms and anyone else with an interest in the industry, such as recruitment firms placing drivers, have been invited to a meeting held by the Iota next month to explain the detail.

The speakers will be Peter Bull and Brian Moore, from the Vehicle Operating and Standards Authority

Ian Franklin,the chairman of the Wessex centre of Iota, said: "In a nutshell there are two forms of working time directive one for transport and one non-transport.

"Haulage drivers are already affected by tachographs on vehicles and there are quite tough restrictions for how long you can drive and leaving long rest periods.

"These rules are quite ample but earlier this month the legislation for the working time directive came into force and dictates how long a driver can work during the course of a week although he still has to use a tachograph.

"We're still in the 'bedding-in' stage but there are still a lot of hauliers and drivers out there who are not totally clear on how the legislation works.

"We can foresee a lot of situations where companies may be caught out, which is why we are organising seminars and talks on the subject."

All drivers of trucks with tachographs which must be on vehicles weighing 7.5 tonnes or more are affected by the new legislation and it applies to all members of the crew, including trainees and assistants.

The regulations will be enforced by Vosa.

For first offences improvement notices notifying possible breaches of law and enforcement notices ordering an employer to change illegal practices are likely to be issued.

But persistent offenders will be fined, or even face imprisonment.

To find out more visit www.dft.gov.uk and search the site for working time regulations.

l Anyone who would like to attend the meeting, which is at The Blunsdon House Hotel on May 17 at 7.30pm, should contact Mr Franklin on 01793 752618, or Iota secretary Colin Harling on 01793 615299.