by A new inspection method on German motorways
At selected sites, BAG inspectors will no longer use signaling discs to direct lorry drivers to pull off for an inspection; instead, the request will be displayed on a LED message board.
Failure to comply will be treated as an administrative offence and will be subject to a fine of 300 euro. In addition, the inspection will be carried out as planned, and any violations will be penalized according to the appropriate regulations.
by Increased road checks across Europe
Between 15th and 21st October, TISPOL, the European police network is conducting one of its pan European operations called TRUCK & BUS.
The operation focuses drivers’ sobriety, compliance with traffic regulations, technical condition of vehicles, load security and working times.
The following countries are members of the TISPOL network:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden , Switzerland, Great Britain and Estonia.
by Toll charges for HGVs on the Italian A22 motorway to increase
In the next few days the Italian Transport Minister will sign a concession agreement on the operation of the Brennero motorway, which will make it accessible to HGVs, while at the same time introducing a ban on HGV transit traffic on the national road no. 12.
One of the first measures to be implemented by the new operator will be to impose a toll charge or a surcharge for HGVs travelling on the motorway. In order to prevent drivers from switching to the national road no. 12, which leads to the Brennero pass, the provincial authorities have decided to ban HGV traffic along this strategic route in the region of Alto Adige.
by More stringent penalties for sleeping in a truck cab
Truckers can be facing a fine of up to 30.000 euros.
Even if not caught in the act, drivers can be punished for spending the 45-hour rest in the cab based on past records that go as many as 28 days back.
In addition to France, this restrictive approach has now been adopted by the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Italy, because drivers have often travelled to these countries in order to rest in the cab.
by Italy: HGV traffic ban on the Brenner motorway
According to information issued by the regional authorities of the Bolzano province in South Tyrol, on 26th October, between 0:00 and 10 p.m. all heavy goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight of over 7.5 tons will be banned from using the northbound carriageway of the Brenner A22 motorway between Sterzing/Vipiteno and the Italian-Austrian border.
Any vehicles already travelling on this stretch of the A22 motorway at the time when the ban comes into force are obliged to stop at the parking place in Sterzing or any other designated parking areas along the motorway, or, depending on the circumstances, any other places regarded as suitable for parking by the police.
by 12th of November – additional work-free day without a HGV traffic ban
The Ministry of Infrastructure has published an official statement on this subject.
Following the Parliament’s decision to establish an additional non-working day on 12th November, we have asked the Ministry of Infrastructure if this will entail additional HGV traffic bans, or whether the day will be treated like 6th January, the Feast of Epiphany, when no traffic bans were introduced.
The Ministry of Infrastructure has informed that it has no intention of introducing a HGV traffic ban on this day
by Slovakia: additional HGV ban
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Slovak Nation, the country’s Parliament adopted a bill implementing a one-off public holiday on October 30.
On this day the transit of heavy goods vehicles will be prohibited between 0:00 am 10:00 pm, with the exception of lorries travelling to destinations located in Slovakia, which means reaching the end point and making a stop.
by Austria – Tirol wants more HGV traffic bans
Under the “Anti-Transit Package”, which is to come into effect from 1st August 2019, the sectoral HGV traffic ban is to be extended to goods carried by means of intermodal transport.
In addition, existing exemptions for Euro 6 trucks in transit traffic are to be repealed and general traffic bans for Euro 4 trucks are to be introduced. The bans will also apply to Euro 5 vehicles after 2021, the same year when the night traffic ban is extended to Euro 6 trucks.
Currently the Federal State Government of Tyrol is conducting talks with the European Commission trying to get its permission for the introduction of the traffic bans.
by France: eco-tax for HGVs from 430 to 1200 euro
The French Minister of Transport has confirmed that the government is planning to introduce an eco-tax on heavy goods vehicles, which will be used to finance the costs of maintaining the road infrastructure.
It will be the government’s fifth attempt to introduce a tax for the use of the road infrastructure.
The proposed rate of the eco-tax 430 euros for HGVs with 3 axles, 1200 euros for HGVs with 4 more axles.
by Spain: Navarra and Guipúzcoa lift HGV restrictions on N-121 and A-15
In early June, the authorities of the province of Navarra agreed to impose restrictions on HGV traffic on the N-121 road, in connection with reconstruction work in the Belate and Almandor tunnels.
Because the renovation and resurfacing works in the tunnels are over, since 1st November traffic on N-121 has been back to normal; on 29th of October the neighbouring province of Guipúzcoa also lifted restrictions on A-15 in Berazategui, along the section passing through the San Lorenzo tunnel. As a result, both tunnels are open to lorry traffic both from the direction of Pamplona and from San Sebastian.