by Germany: first aid kits in vehicles will have to include face masks
The requirement will come into effect from February 1, 2023.
The Federal Association of Medical Technology has announced an update of the rules regarding mandatory equipment to be included in first aid kits carried in vehicles, which has to comply with the DIN 13164:2022 standard, introduced in 2022. The requirement will be enforced starting from February next year.
In addition tot he equipment required so far, a first-aid kit will have to include two face masks, at least of type I – i.e. standard surgical masks.
Foreigner drivers should remember that in Germany a first aid kit is a mandatory element of equipment of motor vehicles with a maximum speed exceeding 6 km/h, with the exception of wheelchairs, motorcycles, tractors or machines used in agriculture or forestry and other tractors or working machines if they are single-axle. A fine for non-compliance is 5 euros.
by HGV restrictions in Catalonia
Owing to forecasts of significant increases in traffic volume on the 2nd 4th, 6th, 7th and 11th of December, an additional restriction will be introduced on some road and motorway sections for vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of more than 7.5 tons, which are required to use the right lane and must not overtake other vehicles and drive faster than 80 km/h.
On Friday, December 2, between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the AP-7 motorway, between KP 126, exit 12B at La Roca del Vallés, Granollers and the junction with the C-60 in La Roca del Vallés, and KP 172, exit 25 at Martorell and the junction with the A-2 in the Martorell commune;
➖ the AP-7 motorway in the territory of Terres de l’Ebre, where there are only two lanes, between KP 257, exit 35 at Vila-seca, Salou, Reus S. and Port Aventura, in the municipality of Vila-seca, and KP 344,8 the border between Tarragona and Castellón, in the municipality of Ulldecona.
On Sunday, December 4, between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the northbound AP-7 motorway, between KP 111.1, exit 11 at Sant Celoni and Montseny in the commune of Sant Celoni, and KP 133.8, exit 13 at Granollers, Montornès del Vallès and Vilanova del Vallés, in the municipality of Montornès del Vallès;
On Tuesday, December 6, between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the northbound AP-7 motorway, between KP 111.1, exit 11 at Sant Celoni and Montseny in the commune of Sant Celoni, and KP 133.8, exit 13 at Granollers, Montornès del Vallès and Vilanova del Vallés, in the municipality of Montornès del Vallès;
On Wednesday, December 7, between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the AP-7 motorway, between KP 126, exit 12B at La Roca del Vallés, Granollers and the junction with the C-60 in La Roca del Vallés, and KP 172, exit 25 at Martorell and the junction with the A-2 in the Martorell commune;
➖ the AP-7 motorway in the territory of Terres de l’Ebre, where there are only two lanes, between KP 257, exit 35 at Vila-seca, Salou, Reus S. and Port Aventura, in the municipality of Vila-seca, and KP 344,8 the border between Tarragona and Castellón, in the municipality of Ulldecona.
On Sunday, December 11, between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the northbound AP-7 motorway, between KP 111.1, exit 11 at Sant Celoni and Montseny in the commune of Sant Celoni, and KP 133.8, exit 13 at Granollers, Montornès del Vallès and Vilanova del Vallés, in the municipality of Montornès del Vallès;
by Belgium: closure of the Kennedytunnel (R1) in Antwerp
The closure is connected with the replacement of tunnel lighting and the installation of fireproof panels.
The tunnel tube in the direction of Gent will be closed from 9:00 PM on Friday, December 2. until 5:00 AM on Monday, December 5 (05:00)
Serious traffic disruptions can be expected in both directions:
❌ During the weekend closure, traffic from Gent in the direction of the Netherlands will be diverted from the E17 via the Antwerp-West junction to the E34 and R2, the northern part of the Antwerp ring road in the port. On the R2, northbound traffic will be diverted via the Scheldt and the Liefkenshoektunnel, which will be temporarily toll-free for traffic in this dirrection. Road users from East and West Flanders are advised to avoid the Kennedy Tunnel area towards the Netherlands and the Antwerp-West junction if possible, as there is a high chance that they will be stuck in traffic there.
❌ Traffic in the direction of Ghent can continue on two narrowed lanes through the tunnel shaft in the direction of the Netherlands, causing traffic jams and delays. Therefore, drivers going from east to west, for example from Hasselt to Gent, are advised to take the route via Brussels and avoid the Antwerp ring road and the Kennytunnel towards Gent.
by HGV restrictions in Catalonia
Owing to forecasts of significant increases in traffic volume on the 25th and 27th of November, an additional restriction will be introduced on some road and motorway sections for vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of more than 7.5 tons, which are required to use the right lane and must not overtake other vehicles and drive faster than 80 km/h.
On Friday, November 25, between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the AP-7 motorway, between KP 126, exit 12B at La Roca del Vallés, Granollers and the junction with the C-60 in La Roca del Vallés, and KP 172, exit 25 at Martorell and the junction with the A-2 in the Martorell commune;
➖ the AP-7 motorway in the territory of Terres de l’Ebre, where there are only two lanes, between KP 257, exit 35 at Vila-seca, Salou, Reus S. and Port Aventura, in the municipality of Vila-seca, and KP 344,8 the border between Tarragona and Castellón, in the municipality of Ulldecona.
On Sunday, November 27, between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the northbound AP-7 motorway, between KP 111.1, exit 11 at Sant Celoni and Montseny in the commune of Sant Celoni, and KP 133.8, exit 13 at Granollers, Montornès del Vallès and Vilanova del Vallés, in the municipality of Montornès del Vallès;
by HGV restrictions in Catalonia
Owing to forecasts of significant increases in traffic volume on the 11th and 13th of November, an additional restriction will be introduced on some road and motorway sections for vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of more than 7.5 tons, which are required to use the right lane and must not overtake other vehicles and drive faster than 80 km/h.
On Friday, November 18, between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the AP-7 motorway, between KP 126, exit 12B at La Roca del Vallés, Granollers and the junction with the C-60 in La Roca del Vallés, and KP 172, exit 25 at Martorell and the junction with the A-2 in the Martorell commune;
➖ the AP-7 motorway in the territory of Terres de l’Ebre, where there are only two lanes, between KP 257, exit 35 at Vila-seca, Salou, Reus S. and Port Aventura, in the municipality of Vila-seca, and KP 344,8 the border between Tarragona and Castellón, in the municipality of Ulldecona.
On Sunday, November 20, between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the northbound AP-7 motorway, between KP 111.1, exit 11 at Sant Celoni and Montseny in the commune of Sant Celoni, and KP 133.8, exit 13 at Granollers, Montornès del Vallès and Vilanova del Vallés, in the municipality of Montornès del Vallès;
by Austria reintroduces border controls
Austria: checks at the internal borders with the Republic of Slovenia and Hungary temporarily reinstated.
In order to ensure peace, public order and security, in the period from 00:00 AM on 12 November 2022, to 12:00 PM on 11 May 2023, the internal land borders with the Republic of Slovenia and Hungary may only be crossed at border crossing points.
by Germany: closure of the A7 near Hamburg
From 10:00 PM on Thursday, November 17, to 5:00 AM on Monday, November 21, the A7 between the Hamburg-Volkspark and Hamburg-Waltershof junctions will be completely closed to traffic.
The port of Hamburg can be reached from the south until 10:00 PM on Friday, November 18.
HGVs (with abnormal loads) have to take a big detour to avoid the A7 as traffic will be closed in both directions. Difficulties are also to be expected on diversions routes.
The closure is due to the eight-lane expansion of the A7.
by HGV restrictions in Catalonia
Owing to forecasts of significant increases in traffic volume on the 11th and 13th of November, an additional restriction will be introduced on some road and motorway sections for vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of more than 7.5 tons, which are required to use the right lane and must not overtake other vehicles and drive faster than 80 km/h.
On Friday, November 11, between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the AP-7 motorway, between KP 126, exit 12B at La Roca del Vallés, Granollers and the junction with the C-60 in La Roca del Vallés, and KP 172, exit 25 at Martorell and the junction with the A-2 in the Martorell commune;
➖ the AP-7 motorway in the territory of Terres de l’Ebre, where there are only two lanes, between KP 257, exit 35 at Vila-seca, Salou, Reus S. and Port Aventura, in the municipality of Vila-seca, and KP 344,8 the border between Tarragona and Castellón, in the municipality of Ulldecona.
On Sunday, November 13, between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the restrictions will apply on the following road sections:
➖ the northbound AP-7 motorway, between KP 111.1, exit 11 at Sant Celoni and Montseny in the commune of Sant Celoni, and KP 133.8, exit 13 at Granollers, Montornès del Vallès and Vilanova del Vallés, in the municipality of Montornès del Vallès;
by The Mont Blanc Tunnel closed for 21 days
Owing to the complete resurfacing of the road with conservation work over the entire length of the tunnel, the Mont-Blanc Tunnel will be completely closed to traffic from 5 p.m. on Monday, 17 October to 10 a.m. on Monday, 7 November.
See the map of possible alternative routes:
Source of information and graphics: Tunnel Mont Blanc
by Norway to adopt Mobility Package rules from November 1
Although Norway is not an EU member and is not obliged to comply with these regulations, the country’s Ministry of Transport has concluded that the EU Mobility Package will help to make the road transport sector a better place to work and do business. This is why the ministry has decided to adopt new regulations on driving and rest periods for drivers, the use of tachographs in vehicles and the rules regarding access to the occupation of a road transport operator.
The new regulations are part of the mobility package’s so-called social part, which was included in the EEA agreement on 18 March.
The most important regulations that take effect on November 1:
⏺ an international transport licence is required to operate vans over 2.5 tonnes. Hauliers must also meet other requirements such as headquarters located in the EEA area, good reputation, sufficient financial standing and professional competence.
⏺ the cabotage rules will also apply to international transport by vans.
⏺ vehicles in international transport are required to return to their operational centre in the country of origin every 8 weeks.
⏺ transport companies have to make arrangements for drivers to be able to take at least one regular weekly rest at home during each four-week period,
⏺ drivers are not allowed to take their weekly rest in the vehicle
⏺ renumeration for drivers cannot depend on how quickly the goods are delivered.
⏺ The cooling-off period of 4 days after the last completed cabotage operation during which foreign vehicles are not allowed to perform cabotage operations in Norway.
Changes effective from 2026:
⏺ the rules on driving and rest times will apply to vans with a MAM of 2.5 to 3.5 tons used in international transport
⏺ vans with a MAM of 2.5 to 3.5 tons used in international transport will have to be equipped with a tachograph