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EP says: Look after drivers!
Page 12
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II Truck drivers who are forced to lay up for weekends and public holidays because of national bans should be provided with adequate rest facilities, says the European Parliament (EP).
Voting to amend proposals regulating the ability of national governments to restrict }WV movements on designated international main roads, the EP's transport committee decided that governments taking advantage of these powers had a duty of care to drivers.
They should, says the amendment, "ensure that there are sufficient parking spaces and sanitary facilities available", thereby saving drivers from spending weekends with their lorries in parking places with no facilities. The MEPs also voted for an amendment which would exclude HGVs carrying fresh flowers or horticultural products from the restrictions.
Another amendment called for the introduction of a panEuropean database enabling the road transport industry to access detailed information on every driving ban imposed on international routes by member states.
All these proposals will be considered by the full European Parliament when It meets in July. The directive is being considered under the EU co-decision procedure which gives MEPs the power of veto.
Under the directive's current provisions, EU member governments would be allowed to impose additional driving restrictions for HGVs providing transport services within their borders.