Shortage of facilities leads lorry drivers to break resting time laws

Two-thirds of lorry drivers checked during a control action by police were in violation of the law obliging them to take long breaks, meaning they are going behind the wheel tired.

On Whit Monday, the police and inspection services conducted major checks, mainly focused on compliance with working and living conditions of the drivers. Of the 153 trucks on the parking lot in Zeebrugge, a total of 101 infringements were found regarding the weekly rest of the drivers.

In Belgium, truck drivers are obliged to take a break of at least 45 hours on a regular basis. During these breaks, drivers must leave their vehicle. However, Monday’s checks found that, in practice, drivers are often unable to find an alternative resting place, such as a hotel or flat.

"They then spend their weekend resting in the cabin of their vehicle, or in car parks where there are not the necessary facilities (sufficient sanitary facilities, showers, kitchen, comfortable resting place, etc.)", a federal police statement read.

In addition to the more than 100 infringements on the obligatory resting times, the police also recorded 32 infringements of the obligation to return, which states that lorries must return to their country of origin at least every eight weeks. In practice, this rule is also often breached.

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© BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY