by Hungary introduces night-time exemptions from the HGV driving ban during the Pentacost weekend
The Hungarian Ministry of Transport has approved night-time breaks in the driving ban for vehicles with a GVW above 7.5t during the Pentecost weekend.
Consequently, HGVs will be allowed to drive:
• from 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 27 to 6:00 AM on Sunday, May 28;
• from 10:00 PM on Sunday, May 28, to 6:00 AM on Monday, May 29.
The driving ban will apply as follows:
• on May 28 (Pentecost Sunday) from 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM;
• on May 29 (Whit Monday) from 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
by Poland: an overtaking ban for lorries on motorways and expressways
From July 1, heavy goods vehicles are no longer allowed to overtake other vehicles on motorways and expressways. Such manoeuvres are considered to be particularly dangerous to other vehicles traveling at high speeds.
According to amended regulations, category N2 or N3 vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a length of over 7 m, when travelling on a motorway or express road with three or more lanes in one direction, are obliged to use only two lanes closest to the right edge of the carriageway. In addition, category N2 or N3 vehicles are prohibited from overtaking other motor vehicles on a motorway and expressway with only two lanes in one direction of traffic, unless such vehicles are moving at a speed significantly lower than the speed limit for category N2 or N3 vehicles on a given road. This prohibition does not apply to situations when it is necessary to overtake vehicles carrying out cleaning, repair or modernization works, which use amber lights.
by Flooding and impassable roads in northern Italy
Because of heavy rains that have hit the central part of northern Italy, many roads are impassable and closed.
The list of affected areas includes the provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Forlì-Cesena, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia and Rimini, where 20 rivers have overflowed. Restrictions for vehicles with a GVW of over 7.5 have been introduced on several road sections, e.g. on the A14 motorway in near San Marino and Rimini. Drivers need to watch out for fallen trees and muddy roads. Lorry drivers are also advised not to drive along flooded road sections, because sanding water seeps into the asphalt and into the foundation, causing the surface to easily crack under the weight of HGVs.
A free interactive map showing the current situation on the roads can be very helpful for haulage companies operating in Italy.
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 5 July.
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 Germany: alternative routes during the HGV holiday driving ban
By virtue of the Holiday Travel Ordinance, there is an additional HGV driving ban on several motorway and federal road sections on all Saturdays in July and August (from July 1 to August 26 inclusive). The ban applies to vehicles and vehicle combinations with an GVW of over 7.5 t, in the period from 07:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
The BGL association has prepared a map showing motorways and roads affected by the ban and alternative routes. The map is available HERE ⬅CLICK or at the end of the article.
The holiday HGV driving ban applies on these roads:
⭕A1 – from the Köln-West interchange to the Lohne/Dinklage junction
⭕A2 – from the Oberhausen interchange to the Bad Oeynhausen interchange
⭕A3 – from the Oberhausen interchange to the Köln-Ost interchange
⭕A3 – from the Mönchhof motorway triangle to the Nürnberg interchange
⭕A5 – from the Darmstädter interchange to the Karlsruhe-Süd junction
⭕A5 – from the Offenburg junction to the Neuenburg interchange
⭕A6 – from to the Schwetzingen-Hockenheim junction to the Nürnberg-Süd interchange
⭕A7 – from the Schleswig/Jagel junction to the Hamburg-Schnelsen-Nord junction
⭕A7 – from the Soltau-Süd junction to the Göttingen-Nord junction
⭕A7 – from the Autobahn triangle Schweinfurt/Werneck to the end of the autobahn at the federal border in Füssen
⭕A8 – from the Karlsruhe interchange to the Munich-Obermenzing junction
⭕A8 – from the Munich-Ramersdorf junction to the Bad Reichenhall junction
⭕A9/ E51 – from Berliner Ring (Leipzig/Autobahndreieck Potsdam junction) to the Munich Schwabing junction
⭕A10 – Berliner Ring (exceptions: the area between the Berlin-Spandau junction via the Havelland interchange to the Oranienburg interchange and the area between the Spreeau interchange to the Werder interchange)
⭕A45 – from the Dortmund-Süd junction to the Seligenstädter motorway triangle
⭕A 61 – from the Meckenheim interchange to the Hockenheim motorway triangle
⭕A 81 – from the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen junction to the Gärtringen junction
⭕A 92 – from the Munich-Feldmoching interchange to the Oberschleißheim junction
⭕A 92 – from the Neufahrn motorway junction to the Erding junction
⭕A 93 – from the Inntal motorway triangle to the Reischenhart junction
⭕A 99 – from the Munich South-West motorway triangle to the Munich/Eschenried motorway triangle
⭕A 215 – from the Bordesholm motorway triangle to the Blumenthal junction
⭕A 831 – from the Stuttgart-Vaihingen junction to the Stuttgart interchange
⭕A 980 – from the Allgäu interchange to the Waltenhofen junction
⭕A 995 – from the Sauerlach junction to the Munich-South interchange
⭕B31 – from the Stockach-Ost junction of the A 98 to the Sigmarszell junction of the A 96
⭕B96 / E251 – from Neubrandenburger Ring to Berlin
The map of alternative routes
by Belarus bans the use of trailers and semi-trailers registered in Poland
The ban comes into effect on July 3 and also applies to lorries performing international transport of goods in Belarus.
Affected vehicles are only allowed to move along the Belarusian-Polish section of the border. Polish trailers and semi-trailers may are allowed to enter places specially designated for for the purpose of reloading transported goods. A similar ban introduced in April 2022, applied to tractors registered in EU countries.
The measure comes in response to new restrictions imposed by Poland on June 1, which have extended the list of types of Belarusian and Russian HGV categories that are prohibited from entering the Polish territory.
by UK – Closure of the M40 and A34 roads
National Highways has released a full list of where drivers can expect closures along the M40 and A34 on Thursday, May 11
M40
Jct 9 Southbound Carriageway closure (9.30pm-6am)
A34
– A34 southbound Peartree to Botley carriageway closure (9pm-6am)
– A34 northbound East Ilsley entry slip road closure (9pm-6am)
– A34 northbound East Ilsley exit slip road closure (9pm-6am)
– A34 northbound Beedon entry slip road closure (9pm-6am)
by Kent: overnight closures of the A20
As part of National Highways work to repair and maintain the A20, they will soon be resurfacing between the CourtWood interchange and Western Heights roundabout.
The work will start on the evening of Monday 26th June and finish on the morning of Thursday 27th July and will take place overnight between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am. Work will be conducted on one carriageway at a time.
Closure information:
❗ Monday 26th June to Friday 7th July – full overnight closures of the A20 to coastbound between Court Wood, interchange and Western Heights roundabout from 8 pm until 6 am the following morning.
❗ Monday 10 to Wednesday 19th July and Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 July – full overnight closures of the A20 London bound from Western Heights roundabout to Court Wood interchange from 8 pm until 6 am the following morning.
A diversion will be in place via the B2011 and a256.
❗ Western Heights roundabout will also be closed overnight on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 June, and again overnight on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th July
by Germany: night traffic restrictions on the A7
Due to the reconstruction of the A7 motorway near Hamburg, traffic at night will be restricted on the section between the junctions Bahrenfeld (28) and Volkspark (27).
From 9:00 PM on Thursday (15.06) to 5:00 AM on Friday (16.06):
• northbound traffic (in the direction of Flensburg) will continue along one lane;
• drivers are obliged to follow the diversion route U 31 to Volkspark junction (27)
Drivers can also use the junctions at Stellingen (26) and Othmarschen (29), where traffic continues in both directions!
by A strike in Greek ports on May 1
The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced a 24-hour strike on May 1 to mark Labout Day.
As a result, all ships in Greek ports will remain docked.