by Slovakia – an exemption from the HGV driving ban
The Presidium of the Police of the Slovak Republic has granted a general exemption from the HGV driving ban on the 24th and 26th of December and 6th of January, 2023.
The exemption applies to all heavy goods vehicles traveling on motorways, first class roads and roads with international traffic, arriving in Slovakia from some neighboring countries and heading for destinations (e.g. company headquarters or place of unloading) located within Slovakia.
by HGV restrictions in Catalonia
Owing to forecasts of significant increases in traffic volume on the 15th 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 15, 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.
by Romania is planning to extend HGV driving bans
The National Union of Road Transporters from Romania (UNTRR) has launched a survey to find out drivers’ opinion about whether additional driving bans are necessary.
According to a report published by the European Transport Safety Council, in 2019 Romania was ranked last in terms of road safety, with the highest number of deaths per 1 million inhabitants (96 deaths, compared to the European average of 51).
Because Romania has fewer HGV restrictions, in addition to a higher risk of accidents caused directly or indirectly by lorries, at the beginning of each week, there are long queues at border crossings along the country’s western border. Currently, the waiting time at the border exceeds two hours because Hungarian customs officers and border guards are not able to handle such large numbers of vehicles from Romania and weekend HGV traffic is limited in Hungary.
The new legislation proposed by the Romanian parliament would introduce a driving ban for vehicles with a GVW above 7.5 t on the entire national road network:
– on Fridays from 3.00 PM to 9.00 PM;
– on Saturdays, from 09.00 AM to 9.00 PM;
– on Sundays, from 09.00 AM to 9.00 PM;
– on the eve of public holidays, from 3.00 PM to 9.00 PM;
– on public holidays, from 09.00 AM to 9.00 PM.
The draft law is in line with European legislation and the ban is similar or even more liberal than those that are in effect in other European countries.
by Italy: Possible fuel shortages for 72 hours
According to press report, unionized fuel station managers plan have called a nationwide strike from 13 to 16 December.
Unless averted, motorists and haulers using the motorway network will not be able to purchase fuel at service stations. The action may prompt panic buying of fuel before it starts, which in turn may lead to fuel shortages. It may also prompt congestion around fuel stations close to motorway junctions.
The strike is scheduled to last from 10:00 PM on December 13, to 10:00 PM on December 16. However, it may be suspended or called off if the protesters get a chance to start talks with the government.
by Brock contraflow in Kent returns
The Operation Brock contraflow system on the M20 in Kent is being deployed ahead of the Christmas period and high passenger numbers at Dover and the Eurotunnel.
Operation Brock is part of a series of measures to improve Kent’s resilience and ensure the smooth flow of traffic through the region in the event of disruption to services across the English Channel.
Due to the deployment of Operation Brock, EU bound freight traffic will be using the coastbound carriageway on the M20 between Junctions 8 and 9 (from Ashford to Maidstone), where they will be queued and released when space at the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel becomes available.
❗ HGV drivers travelling to Eurotunnel of the Port of Dover are reminded they must follow the signs and use the M20 and join Operation Brock at M20 junction 8. Any EU-bound hauliers not complying with signage and trying to jump the queue not only risk a fine of £300, they will also be sent to the back of the queue by Police or enforcement agents, wasting time, fuel and money.
The M20 coastbound between junctions 7 and 9 will be closed
▶ from 8pm to 6am until Sunday, 11 December. It will then stay closed during the day and night on Sunday 11.
The M20 London bound between junctions 9 to 8 will be closed
▶ from 9pm on Thursday, 8 December until 6am on Friday, 9 December
▶ from 9pm on Sunday ,11 December until the following morning.
When the M20 reopens at 6am on Monday 12 December, the Operation Brock contraflow will be in place and all signs and signals should be followed. Fully signed diversion routes will be place while the M20 is closed overnight.
by Hungary: a derogation from the winter HGV driving ban
As was the case in previous years, from November 4, less polluting lorries (EURO-3-4-5-6 and EEVs) in international traffic are exempt from the winter HGV driving ban.
In winter, weekend and holiday driving bans apply only to the most polluting and domestic lorries, usually from 10:00 PM on Saturdays to 10:00 PM on Sundays.
Every winter (from November 4 to March 1), the Hungarian government issues a decree granting this derogation to all HGVs that comply with the EURO 3 standard or higher and are used for international transport, i.e. carry out a cross-border transport operation. As a result, these vehicles do not have to be parked at weekends and on public holidays in the winter months.
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;