Miranda Blake
Notícias e actualizações • 3 min ler

Diretiva relativa ao tempo de trabalho dos condutores: Um guia para os condutores de camiões

Criado: 25/10/2024

Atualizado: 29/10/2024

Como condutor de um camião no Reino Unido, é crucial ter uma compreensão firme dos regulamentos complexos que envolvem as horas de trabalho e os períodos de descanso dos condutores. A Diretiva relativa ao tempo de trabalho dos condutores (WTD), também conhecida como a Diretiva relativa ao transporte rodoviário, é um conjunto de regras que regula o número máximo de horas que um condutor pode trabalhar, as pausas obrigatórias que deve fazer e os períodos de descanso obrigatórios que deve respeitar. O não cumprimento desta regulamentação pode resultar em coimas pesadas e até na imobilização do seu veículo.

Compreender a diretiva relativa ao tempo de trabalho dos condutores

A Diretiva relativa ao tempo de trabalho dos condutores é uma legislação da União Europeia que visa garantir a segurança de todos os utentes da estrada através da prevenção de acidentes relacionados com a fadiga. [As regras relativas ao tempo de trabalho dos condutores (Driver hours rules) (https://snapacc.com/newsroom/discover-the-new-drivers-hours-rules/) aplicam-se aos condutores de veículos com peso superior a 3,5 toneladas, independentemente do facto de exercerem a sua atividade no Reino Unido ou na UE.

Limites diários de condução

Ao abrigo da WTD, os condutores de camiões no Reino Unido estão sujeitos a um limite máximo de 9 horas de condução diária, que pode ser aumentado para 10 horas no máximo duas vezes por semana. Após 4,5 horas de condução contínua ou intermitente, os condutores devem fazer uma pausa de, pelo menos, 45 minutos. Em alternativa, podem optar por uma pausa fraccionada, em que a primeira é de, pelo menos, 15 minutos, seguida de uma segunda de, pelo menos, 30 minutos.

Restrições de condução semanais e quinzenais

Existe um limite de condução semanal para os condutores de camiões do Reino Unido, que é de 56 horas, enquanto o limite quinzenal é de 90 horas. Isto significa que, se um condutor registar 56 horas numa semana, só pode trabalhar 34 horas na semana seguinte para garantir que não ultrapassa o limite quinzenal de 90 horas.

Tampas de tempo de trabalho

Para além das restrições ao tempo de condução, a WTD impõe também limites ao número total de horas que um condutor pode trabalhar por semana. O tempo de trabalho semanal médio, incluindo as tarefas de condução e não condução, não deve exceder 48 horas, calculado ao longo de um período de referência de 17 ou 26 semanas. O tempo máximo de trabalho numa única semana é de 60 horas, desde que a média de 48 horas não seja ultrapassada.

Períodos de descanso

A WTD exige que os [condutores de veículos pesados de mercadorias] (https://snapacc.com/newsroom/how-to-become-an-hgv-driver/) gozem um período de repouso diário de, pelo menos, 11 horas consecutivas, que pode ser dividido em dois períodos, sendo o primeiro de, pelo menos, 3 horas. Os condutores também podem optar por um período de repouso diário reduzido de nove horas, mas este só pode ser efectuado até três vezes por semana. Além disso, é obrigatório um período de repouso semanal de, pelo menos, 45 horas, embora este possa ser reduzido para 24 horas uma vez num período de 2 semanas.

Isenções

Embora a diretiva relativa ao tempo de trabalho se aplique à maioria dos condutores de camiões do Reino Unido, existem algumas excepções que podem ser aplicadas em circunstâncias específicas. Por exemplo, aqueles que não conduzem mais de 10 vezes num período de 26 semanas ou 15 vezes num período superior a 26 semanas podem não ser obrigados a controlar a sua diretiva relativa ao tempo de trabalho.

Consequências do incumprimento

O incumprimento da WTD pode ter consequências graves tanto para os condutores como para os [operadores de frotas] (https://snapacc.com/fleet-operators/). Os condutores apanhados a violar os regulamentos podem ser sujeitos a coimas até £1.500 e, se violarem as regras mais de 5 vezes em 28 dias, podem ser levados a tribunal e ver o seu veículo imobilizado.

Para os operadores de frotas, o ónus é manter a conformidade em toda a frota. A negligência na implementação de medidas suficientes para monitorizar e fazer cumprir a WTD pode levar a DVSA a emitir um aviso para melhorar e, em casos extremos, a exigir a cessação das operações até que os problemas sejam resolvidos.

Importância das soluções de gestão de frotas integradas no tacógrafo

Para gerir eficazmente as horas de trabalho dos condutores e garantir a conformidade com a WTD, os operadores de frotas devem considerar investir em soluções de gestão de frotas integradas no tacógrafo. Estas tecnologias específicas permitem uma monitorização eficiente do comportamento dos condutores e o registo automático dos dados relativos ao tempo de condução e de trabalho, tornando praticamente impossível que o incumprimento passe despercebido.

Ao estabelecerem uma parceria com um fornecedor de confiança como a SNAP, os operadores de frotas podem tirar partido de ferramentas de gestão de frotas de ponta e obter acesso a uma rede abrangente de parceiros de serviços, certificando-se de que os seus condutores têm o apoio de que necessitam para se manterem em conformidade e seguros na estrada.

Impacto da escassez de condutores

Há também que ter em conta a [falta de condutores] (https://snapacc.com/newsroom/hgv-drivers-challenge-the-term-driver-shortage/) no Reino Unido. Está a revelar-se um grande problema no sector. A indústria assistiu a uma queda no número de condutores de veículos pesados de mercadorias - a pandemia atrasou 30 000 testes para novos condutores, e o Brexit atingiu duramente as empresas de frotas - com muitos condutores de camiões europeus a deixarem o Reino Unido.

Um relatório de 2023 da SNAP sugere que o sector poderá atingir um "ponto de viragem" nos próximos 10 a 15 anos. Pode ser que a Diretiva relativa ao tempo de trabalho dos condutores seja exatamente o que a indústria precisa para tornar a profissão novamente desejável e proporcionar um melhor equilíbrio aos condutores. Saiba mais sobre o que pode ser feito para resolver o problema da escassez de condutores [lendo o relatório] (https://snapacc.com/tipping-point/).

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