Two non-authorized truck drivers embark on an illicit journey, aided by one another; authorities intercept trucks with significant defects on the Moers highway
On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 11:30 AM, a Bulgarian truck was stopped by the highway police on a busy highway. The truck, registered in the EU, was found to have multiple safety hazards and makeshift repairs, raising concerns about the safety of the road.
The driver of the truck, a 55-year-old Macedonian, was found to be driving without a valid driver's license. This is a serious offense that carries penalties across the EU, including fines, driving disqualifications, and even imprisonment. The Macedonian driver was prohibited from continuing his journey, and the company was informed that the tractor unit would have to be towed away.
The inspection, conducted by the traffic division of the highway police, also revealed that the truck had several safety issues, including no braking effect on the rear axle, a steering defect, a nearly burst air suspension bellows, and a brake pressure reservoir temporarily secured with a lashing strap. These issues could have potentially caused a catastrophic accident on the busy highway.
The European Parliament has approved measures to ensure that driving disqualifications issued in one EU country are recognized and enforced EU-wide. This means a driver disqualified in one member state could lose their driving privileges across the EU. For third-country nationals (drivers from outside the EU), enforcement of fines and penalties can be more complicated, but new EU-wide measures are being implemented to improve this.
In connection with the two trucks and their drivers, several offenses and administrative violations were recorded. A replacement driver with a replacement truck for the trailer was requested, but the second Macedonian driver, this time 58 years old, was found to have the same legal issues as his colleague.
The aim of the regulation is to curb illegal employment, and the drivers of third-country trucks registered in the EU must provide proof of legal employment status. Penalties for driving a truck without a valid driver’s license or professional qualification in EU countries vary by member state but can be substantial, with fines, driving bans, and sometimes imprisonment. Enforcement is increasingly coordinated across the EU to ensure that drivers are held accountable for their actions and the safety of the road is prioritized.
- The incident involving the Bulgarian truck on the busy highway raised concerns not only about the safety of transportation but also the general-news aspect of illegal employment in the industry.
- The Macedonian drivers, despite being from a third-country, were found guilty of serious offenses related to finance (fines and potential imprisonment) due to driving without valid licenses in the EU.
- In the world of auto-racing and crime-and-justice, the European Parliament has taken measures to ensure that driving disqualifications are recognized and enforced EU-wide, making it harder for drivers to evade penalties across borders.
- The inspection of the Bulgarian truck on that fateful day revealed multiple safety hazards that could have potentially caused a catastrophic accident in the sports of racing or any other transportation sector.
