Fatigue at the wheel costs lives, and lorry drivers run greater risks than most. MEPs want to harmonise driving times, rest periods and the use of tachographs throughout Europe to boost safety.

Driving home the message

Monitoring the time truckers   spend at the wheel is essential

But lorry drivers are not all   on the same footing.

MEPs want to standardise   road transport law

Harmonisation mainly concerns   rules on driving time,

rest periods and   the use of tachographs.

The same offence ranges from 500 to   5000 euros depending on where you are.

Next year I hope and expect a report on   the harmonisation of the sector’s rules.

minimum and maximum sanctions   when offences are committed.

because it doesn't do anything if there is   high punishment, but there is no control.

And we know that drivers   are calling from their vehicles.

They want controls because the owners   urge them to drive more than is allowed.

In June, the Parliament   will tackle a related issue.

This time they’ll examine another   sensitive topic: truckers’ working hours.

MEPs believe that self-employed drivers   must be subject to the same rules

as salaried drivers   because road safety is at stake.