Joint Statement ‘Efficient enforcement in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic’ signed by ROADPOL

Now that we have to endure this COVID-19 crisis, it is more than ever clear how important road transport is to sustain critical flows of people and goods.

At the beginning of the crisis it was necessary to take drastic measures to sustain these crucial road transport flows, which has become apparent in the many and diverse derogations implemented by Member States.

Now that we are making the first steps towards normalisation of the road transport situation, it is important, in consultation with the most involved stakeholders, to claim the flexibility and empathy of enforcers, drivers and transport operators to pave the way to the ‘new normal’.

An appeal is being made to those involved to take the gradual path to normalisation during enforcement situations, with mutual understanding and leniency. Particularly where during roadside inspections the after-effects, due to the measures taken at the national level in the beginning of the crisis, are taken into consideration.

Although the road to a normal roadside inspection situation still seems long, it is important to mark the start of this by a joint statement initiated by the ECR and signed by ROADPOL and the most involved partners and stakeholders.
It is therefore my pleasure to present you the annexed joint statement. The joint statement is the result of good and constructive cooperation between the participating organisations.

While working on the joint statement it has become clear that it is important to also cooperate on guidelines on how road inspections can be properly carried out in the coming period without unnecessarily endangering the health of inspectors and drivers. This is also in the interest of clear communication, which should lead to the correct and smooth running of road inspections.

This collaboration is endorsed and supported by the EC DG Move.

A quarter (25 %) of road death in the European Union are the consequence of collision involving a goods vehicle. 5940 people lost their lives in police-reported road collisions in the 27 countries of the EU in 2018. Therefore roadside checks on lorries are a core element of road safety issues European Police forces are covering. Centralising and clearly communicating all specific national measures and exemptions regarding COVID-19 to the road transport and enforcement community, including publishing a list of all temporary relaxations of rules governing driving and rest times is necessary base for a correct and smooth running of road inspections.

29.05.2020

Volker Orben

ROADPOL President

see the Joint Statement of IRU, ETF, CORTE, ECR and ROADPOL