Chaos on the A1: Truck drivers fight for every parking space!

Chaos on the A1: Truck drivers fight for every parking space!

The situation for truck drivers on the highways is becoming increasingly precarious. A particularly blatant case can be seen on the A1 northbound in Schleswig-Holstein, where more and more drivers are faced with the dilemma of either parking incorrectly or exceeding the permitted driving times. This reports NDR. The Buddikate rest area in the Stormarn district is one of the most crowded rest areas in the region, with only 31 parking spaces, but often used by up to 56 trucks.

In the late afternoon hours, especially around 5 p.m., the parking lot turns into a dangerous mess. Drivers report miserable sleeping conditions caused by noise and unsafe parking conditions. There are only two rest stops with adequate infrastructure on a 142 kilometer route to the ferry terminal in Puttgarden. This means that many truck drivers are under enormous pressure to adhere to their rest periods.

Focus on driving and rest times

The legal regulations on driving and rest times are crucial for road safety and the health protection of drivers. These regulations aim to prevent overtiredness and exhaustion, which can cause dangerous situations such as lkwmentor.de explained. Truck drivers are allowed to drive a maximum of nine hours per day, with the possibility of an increase to ten hours on two days per week. After four and a half hours of continuous driving, a break of at least 45 minutes is required. In addition, a daily rest period of at least 11 hours is required.

Compliance with these regulations is monitored via digital tachographs. This ensures that drivers not only comply with legal requirements, but also keep their own safety in mind. Controls by the authorities are intensive and violations can result in high fines, which hit both drivers and trucking companies hard. For example, illegal parking costs up to 113.50 euros plus one point in Flensburg, while exceeding the driving time can cost the driver 60 euros and the shipping company 180 euros.

The lack of parking spaces is a long-term problem

The lack of suitable parking spaces is not only an acute but also a long-term problem. According to the Auto Club Europe, there is a shortage of around 25,000 parking spaces for trucks nationwide. Planning new parking spaces and rest areas can take up to four years. The federal Autobahn GmbH has already announced local improvements, such as the planned rest area near Großenbrode and a truck stop in Hammoor, but the current situation means that truck drivers - especially after 5 p.m. - are often faced with the choice of parking illegally or exceeding their driving time.

It is therefore clear that a rethink and changes in the planning and approval of parking spaces are required in order to master this tense situation. Municipalities also need to be more involved in the negotiation and planning process in order to rethink the high requirements when dedicating space for parking spaces.

The current situation is a problem that is likely to last for years. It is in the interest of all road users that urgent solutions are found to ensure safety on the roads and to offer drivers an appropriate working environment.