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MEP’s have adopted a resolution calling for efforts to harmonise the level of fines across EU countries in relation lorry drivers who commit working time related road safety infringements.
The resolution, drafted by Austrian Christian Democrat Hella Ranner, relates to truck drivers’ working time rest periods, or working conditions, and criticizes the wide disparities in fines for similar offences across the EU’s 27 Member States. Setting out a ‘wish list’ of demands, resolutions do not carry any weight in law but can give impetus to future European legislation.
Approved in the European Parliament on 18 May, the resolution calls on Member States to find ‘legislative and practical ways’ to reduce the differences in the types and levels of penalties applied, and argues for minimum and maximum penalties to be laid down for each breach of the rules on working time.
Ms. Ranner said: ‘the penalty systems in the EU Member States have evolved historically and therefore show wide disparities, with fines in extreme cases that can be as much as ten times higher in one country than in another. These differences can be explained by economic and geographical factors, as well as the Member States’ differing policy approaches to road safety’.
The resolution also calls for more frequent checks by national authorities, both at the roadside and the road haulier’s premises and suggests the European Commission create an ‘effective and appropriate coordination instrument at the European level’ to help train and coordinate inspection bodies and gather statistical information.
It also states that the digital tachograph should be improved ‘as an instrument for checking’, and urges the Commission to investigate how relevant authorities can achieve faster downloading of data from the tachograph. Member States are also urged to ensure that the European road network has in place safe and appropriate parking facilities for drivers to rest.
Commenting on the MEP’s backing of the resolution, Kevin Clinton, RoSPA’s head of road safety, said: ‘Lorry drivers work all across Europe, so it makes sense for regulations and enforcement to be as consistent as possible’.
