A tachograph generally refers to the device that amalgamates the functions of a clock and a speedometer. By affixing a tachograph to the motor vehicle you can record its speed and ascertain whether it is moving or stationary. Earlier, there were mechanical tachograph and analogue tachograph that used to record the driver’s duty hours on a waxed paper disc. However, with the passage of time these tachographs lost their credibility as they were vulnerable to tampering. Now, they are replaced by digital tachograph which records data on smart cards.

A digital Tachograph improves road safety and ensures fair competition. They are also widely used in the maritime world. A digital tachograph minimizes the chances of tampering and sends signals from the vehicle in an encrypted manner. EU in a regulation has made installation of digital Tachograph mandatory for every vehicle.

A study conducted by every research organization reveals that majority of the crashes are caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel. That's what service stations have been designed for: freshen up, do a crossword and have a bite to eat before you're ready to be on the move again. Long shifts at work can take a toll on the concentration of professional drivers. The new driving rules in effect aims to minimize the risk of lorry, van, bus and coach drivers injuring themselves and other road users. At the forefront of monitoring compliance with these laws are tachographs and as they move into the digital age they are playing a significant role in ensuring the safety of professional drivers.

Nowadays, operators view tachographs as levellers - devices which reduce unfair competition among transportation companies who compel their drivers to work additional hours. Even professional drivers voice their concern in the favour of digital tachograph as their records are generally produced in tribunals as evidence when claiming for extra hours of work.

Digital tachograph serves a useful purpose after an accident as it assists in establishing the cause and verifies eye witness accounts. Trade unions will take stern action against the drivers who exceed speed beyond permissible limits. The readings are quite accurate and any attempt to falsify readings by tampering with the device have been allayed, since it is quite easier to detects such attempts.

Tachograph data, once correlated, provides valuable information to the haulage company. For instance, you can obtain data related to efficiency of driver and vehicle use, driver shift patterns, abiding by the internal policy of the companies payment of agency drivers, proof of collection/delivery times, etc.

Digital tachograph stores the entire data on the smart card, including any attempts to tamper with the system, speeding and the periods when it has been accessed by police officers.

A digital tachograph is an asset for the driver and can protect him from conviction if he proves in the court that he has taken all the reasonable steps to avoid the mishap. Drivers should ensure to record their period of work accurately. Failure to install or use a tachograph can attract hefty fines. Therefore, if you are in the business of commercial vehicles you need to think twice before avoiding the issue.