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.
by Italy – fine for taking weekly rest in the cab
Based on the ruling of the European Court of Justice of 20 December 2017, on 30 April the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a memo, which provides for the possibility of fining drivers who take their regular weekly rest in the vehicle.
According to the memo, such cases will be treated as a failure to comply with the regulation. Fines can range from 425 to 1701 euro.
by France: van drivers are now obliged to log their driving and rest times
So far van drivers in France have not had to keep track of their driving times. But this has changed.
The government has issued guidelines for a number of inspection agencies, such as Direccte (Work Inspectorate), DREAL (Regional Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing), the police, the Gendarmerie and the customs service, enabling them to check if van drivers comply with the regulations.
From now on drivers of vehicles with GVW of up to 3.5 t are obliged to log their driving and rest times during their stay in France from the moment of entering the country to the moment of leaving it. This information has to be entered in a special driver’s log book.