Italian drivers on strike
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• Italy's truck war has hotted up again with a week-long strike that has seriously disrupted food and fuel supplies. HG V drivers are furious with the heavy fines being imposed for speeding, overloading and interference with tachographs following a series of HGV-related accidents.
The drivers want speed limits raised from the current 70km/h on ordinary roads and 80krnifi on motorways by 10km/h, to bring them more in line with other European countries.
They are also demanding a 10% increase in freight charges and are calling on the Government to bring in emergency measures to assist Italian hauliers. They fear EEC harmonisation, scheduled for 1992, because 80% of Italian haulage businesses are oneman or family affairs which must offer extremely competitive rates to win business.
Following demonstrations last November, the Government stepped in with a promise to review the situation to avert the threatened stoppage over the Christmas holiday. That review has not materialised and the latest strike call has met with a response from more than 90% of hauliers.
Major city centres have run short of petrol and diesel, while fresh-food prices have risen as much as 40%.
Schools, hospitals and other public buildings have had to switch off heating to conserve supplies.
Drivers have been blocking motorway toll barriers and only allowing cars to pass. Many motorists are avoiding motorways, fearing possible clashes with the pickets.
With own-account operators also steering clear there has been a 50% reduction in commercial vehicle traffic. Further talks have now been arranged between drivers' representatives and the Government as another strike looms.