As part of the European roadside enforcement campaign Truck&Bus, coordinated by Roadpol, police patrols joined forces with inspectors from the European Labour Authority (Ela) to check lorries and their drivers. The joint operation mobilised 320 local law enforcement officers, 51 inspectors on assignment and 14 Ela officials. Inspections took place in Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania and Romania, with inspectors from twelve member states actively participating. In total, 420 vehicles, including lorries and buses, were inspected. The irregularities mainly concerned driving and rest times, fraudulent use or tampering of tachographs, cabotage regulations, missing documentation such as community licences, and cases of undeclared work. Administrative penalties imposed exceeded a total of €240,000. One of the most serious breaches was recorded in Romania, where a driver had cut his weekly rest period by nearly 17 hours.
The operation also highlighted the growing use of advanced technology by enforcement authorities. In Belgium, for example, officers used Redcr devices (Remote Early Detection Communication Readers), which enable preliminary checks on second-generation smart tachographs from a distance. These tools allow for the detection of potential infringements without stopping the vehicle, improving both the efficiency and precision of roadside checks.
Despite the high number of violations uncovered, 170 inspections were classified as clean, meaning no breaches were found. This figure shows that a significant portion of operators in the sector comply with current regulations, but also underscores the ongoing need for vigilance. According to Roadpol and Ela, the joint operation marks a concrete step towards improving working conditions and road safety across Europe. The next Roadpol Truck&Bus campaign is scheduled to take place from 5 to 11 May 2025.
