Antonio Oliveira of ‘Transport in Need’ claims legislation regulating the working hours of chauffeurs is ruining the sector. His company caters to the transport sector, helping out drivers who were fined for exceeding the maximum hours behind the wheel.
“Driver's working hours” is the commonly used term for regulations that govern the activities of the drivers of commercial vehicles. According to Oliveira, protocols and restrictions have grown increasingly strict. “The number of fines have doubled in the last year,” he says. “These laws are impossible to work with. They are way too severe. In France, if you exceed the margin by just a second, you’re fined. Absurd! You’re not even allowed to contend these fines.”
“Some drivers do everything in their power to avoid traffic jams, because they are afraid to get fined,” he continues. “They just park in the emergency lane if necessary. It’s outright dangerous, and it completely defeats the purpose.”
What vexes Antonio Oliveira the most is that transporters are seen as cash cows. “They’re just waiting for people to catch. They’ll find something to give you a fine about, no matter what! This way, they will ruin an industry that has enough trouble already.”
For more information: antonio@transportinnood.nl