The Dutch transport inspectorate has fined 103 lorry drivers this year for failing to take proper breaks.

Since the beginning of this year, there has been a European requirement that they do not take their prescribed weekly rest in their vehicles.

They need a daily rest period of 11 hours and weekly rest period of 45 hours, but this may only be taken in the lorry if it has a suitable bed and is stationary.

But on Friday, the ILT authority revealed that some drivers were not doing this, with potential implications for their own health and road safety.

Work conditions

It started informing drivers of the ruling in January, it says, with materials in different languages, checks began in February and then the rule was enforced.

‘The inspectorate is also in talks with the transport sector, transport authority Rijkswaterstaat and the association of Dutch municipalities to implement the ban on vehicle rest,’ it explained in a press release.

‘By pulling together, [it] wants to focus attention on the working conditions of mainly eastern European drivers. They are often away from home for a long time and spend their weekends in their vehicles in Dutch parking areas.’