Robberies and robberies on trucks are the order of the day throughout Europe. That is why many carriers pause in closed parking areas with security service. However, self-employed people and local truck drivers complain that these parking spaces are not a solution for them.
A. Aramendi Elduaien | EITB Average
It has long been said that there is no relief in the transportation industry, the lifestyle is very tough and the conditions are getting more and more precarious. In short, young people do not find this job very attractive, especially international transport.
One of the biggest concerns for carriers is the lack of security. Fuel theft is rife all over Europe and there are also mafia committed to stealing the goods being transported, even attacking the drivers if they feel it is necessary. According to a report published by the Spanish Chargers Association (ACE), Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain are the four European countries with the highest number of robberies or attempted theft.
As a result, many transport companies ask their drivers to take long breaks guarded and fenced parking spaces. Likewise, insurance companies are beginning to require them to stop at these places, especially when the goods being transported and insured may be attractive to thieves.
They exist in our area several parking spaces located next to the main highways: in Castejón, Imarcoain, Rivabellosa, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Zierbena, Trapagaran, Irun, Oiartzun and Astigarraga, just to name a few. The latter, the CIT Mowiz Truck from Astigarraga, has recently been awarded the European Association of Safe Parking for Trucks’ European Association of Safe Parking for Trucks by ESPORG.
The main customers of these car parks are usually truck drivers who travel long distances and are away from home for several days in a row. For this reason, in addition to safety, many of them look for places where they are offered services to make your life more comfortable and easy: showers and toilets, launderette, supermarket, restaurant, accommodation, relaxation areas to watch television or play video games, internet connection, infrastructure for sports…
Like hotels, this type of parking is divided into categories according to the services they offer: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The European institutions and associations such as ESPORG strive to build a network of secure car parks across Europe, with the aim of making life easier for truck drivers, guaranteeing their safety and attracting young people to this profession.
however, the local truck drivers sue these car parks are not a solution for them. Agustin Aranburu, a truck driver from Hernani, believes that they are designed for those carriers traveling through our country and destined for Europe or the south of the peninsula, confirming that he is a safe place to leave the truck when you return home: “in most of our cities there is not enough space to park the truck safely”. He remembers that Zarautz and Tolosa have municipal parking lots, but regrets that they are an exception in Gipuzkoa.
On the other hand, it disapproves that most of these car parks have a security service very expensive: “today, a autonomous does not have enough time to spend one night in one of these places, the next night in another, etc….”. During his travels to France, he usually choose to stop at service areas from highways or in “restaurants where in exchange for dinner they allow us to shower and park in their own parking lot.” “In Europe there is also not enough space for all truck drivers, and sometimes it is very difficult to find a place and stop when the tachograph indicates,” he complains.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
