The image of trucks standing still on access roads, emergency lanes or along the highway is becoming increasingly visible in the Netherlands.
For many professional drivers, it sometimes seems like the only way out in a situation where they cannot find a parking space to take the mandatory rest break. Although understandable given the dire shortage of parking spaces, these practices are downright dangerous and can lead to life-threatening situations. Rijkswaterstaat keeps a close eye on this problem and warns drivers about the major risks of parking in such unsafe places.
The lack of decent parking places forces truck drivers to become increasingly creative in their search for a place to rest. They often use the hard shoulder or an access road when there are no parking spaces available. This happens especially along busy motorways such as the A67, where there is a great shortage of rest areas. Although this allows them to stop, they not only endanger themselves, but also other road users. The risk of serious accidents increases significantly.
road inspectors
Rijkswaterstaat is fully aware of this problems and keeps a close eye on the situation on the Dutch motorways. The road inspectors of Rijkswaterstaat continuously monitor the road network to detect these types of risky situations as quickly as possible and to address drivers where necessary. Their task is to warn drivers that parking on hard shoulders and access roads is not only prohibited, but can also be life-threatening. The hard shoulder is intended for emergency situations, such as a breakdown or an accident, and not for long stops.
Road inspectors also point out that truck drivers can be better prepared for their journey by using various tools that are available. One of the most important pieces of advice they give is to use apps that allow drivers to see where free parking spaces are available during their journey. These apps provide information about the availability of parking spaces in the vicinity and can even help with reserving a parking space in advance. 'Planning your rest periods is crucial to prevent you from getting into a situation where there is no longer a decent parking space available,' says a spokesperson for Rijkswaterstaat.
Although apps and technological tools can provide a solution, the fact remains that there are simply too few parking spaces in the Netherlands for the increasing number of trucks on the road. Especially in the evenings and during busy periods, there is a great shortage of available rest areas, and drivers who want to strictly adhere to the driving and rest time law often get into trouble. This problem ultimately forces drivers to make unsafe choices, such as parking on an access road or emergency lane.
more parking spaces
In addition to the warnings from Rijkswaterstaat, the FNV Transport and Logistics has also been doing this for some time a call to the government to create more parking spaces for professional drivers. The union states that drivers should not be forced to end up in dangerous situations due to a lack of facilities. Femke Janssen of the FNV emphasizes that the responsibility for this does not lie solely with the drivers themselves. 'We cannot abandon drivers by not offering them safe parking spaces. The risk they take by parking in places where they are not allowed is a direct result of a lack of parking facilities. The government must take action on this,' says Janssen.
Many drivers choose to park their truck and then travel home by private vehicle or plane. Leaving a truck is not a problem in itself, provided it is done in designated parking areas.
The FNV Transport and Logistics has made an urgent appeal to the government to address the acute shortage of parking spaces for professional drivers. The union also believes that the current lack of decent rest areas leads to dangerous situations on the road. According to the rules, professional drivers are entitled to sufficient rest, but due to the increasing number of missing parking spaces, they are often denied that rest.
The situation is particularly acute for drivers who travel long distances, often in international transport. More and more drivers, both domestic and foreign, are forced to park their trucks in unsuitable or even illegal places. This is simply because there are no available parking spaces when they need to rest. Janssen emphasizes that this is not a choice, but a necessary measure to ensure the safety of the driver and other road users.
The experience of Jan Slotboom, a truck driver from Dordrecht, illustrates how dire the situation can be. On March 23 last year, Slotboom received a fine of €500 because he parked his truck in a place where it was not legally allowed. However, he had no other choice, as there were no legal parking spaces available. Although he took his case to court in the hope that the circumstances would be recognized, he was not successful. The judge simply stated that the law had been broken and that this had to be punished, despite the force majeure in which Slotboom was operating.
disappointed
The FNV is disappointed with the ruling and has serious doubts about the legal and political situation surrounding this problem. Janssen explains: 'We understand that the judge must follow the law, but the problem lies deeper. Politics sometimes makes it impossible for drivers to comply with the rules. It cannot be the case that someone like Jan, who simply cannot find a parking space, is forced to either park illegally or continue driving while he is dead tired. That is not only unsafe, it is also irresponsible.'
The union believes that politics must now take swift action to structurally solve this growing problem. There is an urgent need for more parking facilities, especially for professional drivers, along the highways and major transport routes. Janssen emphasizes that not only the government must play a role in this, but also the transport companies themselves. These companies must plan their journeys in such a way that drivers are not tempted to break the rules or park in unsafe places. However, she warns that this could mean that fewer journeys can be made per driver, which could have an impact on the economy.
'Our drivers are indispensable to the economy,' says Janssen. 'They ensure that supermarkets are supplied and that medicines are in the pharmacies. They are a crucial link in the logistics chain. But that link is now under pressure because they are not being allowed to do their work safely and according to the rules. This is a situation that has been caused by others and of which the drivers are now the victims.'
The FNV is therefore calling on politicians to come up with a solution quickly. 'It is not just a question of traffic safety, but also of the well-being of the drivers', according to Janssen. The union will continue to work for the interests of professional drivers and will continue to raise the problem of the parking spaces until a solution is actually found that does justice to the situation of the drivers.
