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A typical characteristic of the holiday season are overfull motorways, traffic jams and long waiting times. To limit these problems, driving bans apply for trucks in many places. This may be pleasant for holidaymakers at first glance, however driving bans require complex logistical adjustments and strict timing. Customers and consumers don’t want to give up, the luxury of quicker deliveries, or are dependent on the delivery of certain products or food, despite the holidays.
Which rules apply exactly?
Bans need to be differentiates according to two different types: The Sunday and holiday driving ban in accordance with § 30 para. 3 and 4 of the traffic regulations on the one hand, and the Saturday driving ban in accordance with the regulation on the facilitation of the holiday travel on the road on the other.
Sunday and holiday driving ban
The Sunday and holiday driving ban are in place in Germany on all the motorways from 0 to 22 h for vehicles over 7.5t total permissible mass (zGM) as well as for trucks with trailers. The exceptions are:
Combined rail/road freight traffic, nearest loading/unloading station up to 200 km
Combined road/port freight traffic, up to 150km
Carriage of perishable goods, fresh milk and milk products, fresh meat and meat products, fresh/ live fish and fish products, and perishable fruit and vegetables.
Saturday driving ban
In addition to the Sunday and holiday driving ban as of 1. June up to the 31. August, the Saturday driving ban is in force from 7 am to 8 pm; however, only on certain routes, e.g. on the A1 or the A9. This period affects the summer holiday period and aims to relieve the motorways, since a lot of cars are going into the holidays. In respect of the vehicles concerned and exceptions, the same rules apply as for the Sunday and holiday driving ban.
Truck driving bans in Germany
The truck driving ban does, however, not only in Germany but other European countries. In France, trucks over 7.5 t zGM may also non-ride on motorways on Sundays and public holidays from 12 am - 10 pm. The same applies to Saturdays from 7 am - 7 pm in the holiday period from mid-July until the end of August. Similarly, the situation in Greece is strict: according to the Sunday and holiday, a driving ban prevails in the summer half-year between 3 pm - 11 pm and in the winter half-year between 3 pm - 10 pm a driving ban on certain routes for vehicles over 1.5 t zGM. In Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Switzerland, this driving ban applies even throughout the whole day.
Truck Driving Bans other countries
Truck driving bans are not limited to Germany but extend to other European nations as well.
France:
Trucks exceeding 7.5 tons zGM are prohibited from using motorways on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00 hours.
During the holiday period from mid-July to the end of August, the ban also applies on Saturdays from 07:00 to 19:00 hours.
Greece:
A strict Sunday and holiday driving ban is in place during the summer half-year, from 15:00 to 23:00 hours, and during the winter half-year, from 15:00 to 22:00 hours.
The ban affects certain routes and applies to vehicles exceeding 1.5 tons zGM.
Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Switzerland:
These countries enforce a comprehensive truck driving ban, prohibiting trucks from operating throughout the entire day on Sundays and public holidays.Strategies for Mitigating the Impact of Truck Driving Bans
To minimize the negative effects of truck driving bans, transportation companies can implement various strategies:
Optimize Fleet Management:
Utilize telematics systems to monitor and optimize fleet operations, ensuring efficient routing and scheduling.
Enhance Communication:
Maintain open communication with customers, informing them about potential delays or schedule adjustments due to driving bans.
Advocate for Policy Changes:
Actively engage with policymakers to advocate for more flexible driving ban regulations that consider the needs of the transportation industry.
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