During a national operation last weekend, the federal highway police caught 243 lorry drivers spending the Easter weekend in their vehicles.
On Monday, 21 April, the police inspected the working and living conditions of truck drivers, as reported by Belgium's national police agency.
Regulations prohibit drivers from taking their ‘regular weekly rest’, a long break of at least 45 hours, in their vehicles. Employers must provide suitable accommodation. A total of 294 lorry drivers were checked, with 243 found in violation.
The companies employing these drivers were fined. The penalty for this type of infraction is €1,800. The inspections took place at nine locations across the country, including motorways, industrial areas, and port zones.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with local police services, maritime police, and organisations such as social inspection services, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (Riziv), the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, the European Labour Authority (ELA), and customs services.
In addition to violations of weekly rest rules, infringements were also noted regarding the use of tachographs, which record drivers’ driving and rest times; missing driver certificates; social legislation; and illegal residency. In total, fines amounting to €487,765 were issued.
