tachográffal

The tachograph is a device installed in vehicles, primarily commercial trucks and buses, to record and store various data related to the vehicle's operation and the driver's activity. It is a crucial tool for ensuring compliance with driving time regulations, promoting road safety, and maintaining fair competition within the transport industry.

There are two main types of tachographs: analog and digital. Analog tachographs use a paper disc called a "tachograph chart" to record information. These charts are marked by a stylus that moves across the disc, indicating speed, distance, and driver activity (driving, rest, other work, availability). Digital tachographs, which are now standard in most new vehicles, use a digital memory module to store data electronically. This digital data is more secure and easier to analyze.

The data recorded by a tachograph typically includes vehicle speed, distance traveled, engine speed (in some older models), and driver activities such as driving, rest periods, and other work or availability. For digital tachographs, this also includes driver identity information, entered via a driver card, and any potential faults or events.

Tachographs are mandated by law in many countries, particularly within the European Union and other regions adhering to similar transport regulations. Their primary purpose is to monitor and enforce legal limits on driving hours and mandatory rest periods for drivers. This helps to prevent driver fatigue, which is a significant cause of road accidents. Additionally, tachograph data can be used by authorities for inspections to ensure compliance and by companies for fleet management and operational efficiency.