by Will German parking facilities be more secure?
The Federal Office for the Transport of Goods in Germany has launched a funding programme to cover the major part of the costs of using secure parking facilities for lorries.
Currently in Germany there are 20 parking facilities with a high standard of security. Given the size of the country and the length of the motorway network, it is a drop in the ocean.
Manufacturers and transport companies in Europe are losing 1.3 billion euro annually as a result of cargo theft. It is estimated that physical cargo carried onboard almost 26,000 trucks is stolen in Germany every year.
by Maddalena Pass closed for another 2 months
The border road between Italy and France, an important transport route for the region of Piemont, has been closed to lorry traffic for 90 days and will remain closed for another two weeks owing to rockfalls
It looks like there is no peace on the Maddalena Pass (Colle della Maddalena in Italian): first it was fires, and now bad weather conditions, which have resulted in a 90-day traffic ban for lorries. On the French side, the prefecture of Barcellonette predicts that the Dipartimentale 900 road, which leads to the Maddalena Pass, will remain closed for another two months. The news has been announced by the Astra Association of Transport Companies, which explains that the ban has been caused by the unstable condition of the retaining wall along the road.
The ban applies to all HGVs with gross vehicle weight exceeding 19 t and will remain in force until the road is safe for driving.
by Deutschland: Überholverbote auf der A14
Insgesamt sechs Überholverbote für Lkw werden auf den Autobahnen des Freistaats eingerichtet:
A4: Anschlussstellen Hermsdorf bis Ohorn in Richtung Thüringen
A14/A4: Autobahndreieck Nossen bis Anschlussstelle Nossen-Ost in Richtung Dresden
A14: Anschlussstellen Mutzschen bis Leipzig Ost in Richtung Dresden
A72: Anschlussstellen Treuen bis Reichenbach in Richtung Leipzig
A72: Anschlussstellen Reichenbach bis Zwickau-West in Richtung Leipzig
A72: Anschlussstellen Zwickau-Ost bis Chemnitz-Süd
Die Überholverbote sollen bis Ende Mai eingerichtet sein.
by Additional traffic bans for lorries in Austria. The first one starts on March 30
In addition to the normal calendar of bans scheduled in 2018, concerning holidays and night driving bans, the Austrian government has introduced additional bans that will only apply to selected transit roads.
The affected motorways are A12 Inntalautobahn and A13 Brennerautobahn, but there are also some bans on five national roads. Periods when the bans are in effect depend on the direction of travel, since they are connected with bans in the neighbouring countries, i.e. Italy and Germany. The bans do not apply to vehicles that have obtained exemptions for travelling in both countries concerned.
For more details visit www.trafficban.com in the tab for Austria and in the press release
by Spending weekly rest spent in the vehicle is not good for business
The European Transport Workers’ Federation, in its open letter published on 9 April and addressed to members of the European Parliament says it will not support any compromise to the core rules of driving and rest time included in the Mobility Package.
Some MEPs have suggested a reasonable legal solution in the form of a derogation for regular weekly rest in the lorry in the absence of suitable infrastructure. However, the ETF believes that allowing drivers spend weekly rest periods in trucks will lead to more unfair competition in the sector, and will come in full contradiction with the definition of rest.
by New rules for cargo securing in Spain
The regulation, due to come into effect on 20 May, will impose new cargo securing obligations on hauliers.
The rules will apply to all vehicles travelling at speeds over 25 kph. Inspectors will have the right to check if the cargo is properly secured to ensure it does not pose a threat to road safety, property, health or natural environment. Inspectors will be allowed to conduct tests to check the cargo’s stability during various maneuvers.
by Przedłużenie kontroli granicznych w Niemczech
Decyzja ta została podjęta w związku z kryzysem migracyjnym.
Rząd federalny zatwierdził przedłużenie kontroli granicznych między Niemcami a Austrią na kolejne 6 miesięcy.
Aktualnie, oprócz Niemiec, kontrole graniczne wewnątrz strefy Schengen prowadzi Austria, Francja, Dania, Szwecja oraz Norwegia, która nie należy do UE.
by Germany extends some border controls for another 6 months
The decision is motivated by ‘a considerable amount of illegal migration’ and the heightened security situation in Europe following several attacks in recent years.
The authorities will continue controls along the German-Austrian border and on flights coming in from Greece.
At present border controls within the Schengen Area are also carried out by Austria, France, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, which a non-EU country.
by The Czech Republic: the bridge near Pasohlávky closed to lorries
The bridge is part of a busy road from Brno to Vienna.
At present the restriction will apply to HGVs with a gross weight of 13 t. Next year the bridge will be closed completely.
Traffic is diverted through the towns of Břeclav and Znojmo.
by Spain to fine drivers taking their weekly rest in the cab
The revised Spanish Law for Road Transport (LOTT) takes effect on the 1st of July.
The ban on taking the normal weekly rest in the cab will mainly affect drivers of foreign transport companies, which provide services in Spain, since Spanish drivers usually take their weekly break in their own homes.
The level of the offence (light, serious or very serious) and the amount of fine will depend on the number of hours that a driver spent in the cab in violation of the rules.