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The DVSA and the police have revealed some of their latest finds over the last few days, which include a massively overloaded van, a lorry driven without a tachograph card, and an overloaded lorry with no MOT. However, in the last of those cases, an eagle-eyed Twitter user spotted that the lorry used by the police to seize the offending truck appears to have an expired MOT itself.

Police appears to seize truck with no MOT using trailer with expired MOT

In an editorial piece published <a href="https://www.mailplus.co.uk/edition/news/news-comment/209199/we-must-protect-cyclists-but-we-have-to-crack-down-on-dangerous-riders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the Mail+ website</a>, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said he believes a “death by dangerous cycling" law should be included in this autumn's Transport Bill. 

“Death by dangerous cycling” law set to be included in autumn Transport Bill

Zsolt Barna, CEO of Hungarian road transport and logistics company Waberer's International, has talked about the importance of his company's Indian HGV driver recruitment strategy. In a statement commenting on Waberer's Q2 results, Barna stressed his belief that Indian drivers can be a “competitive advantage" for the company as well as a “long-term solution to the challenges of the labour market". 

Indian driver recruitment a “competitive advantage” for Waberer’s, says CEO

An official report recently published by the German police department in Sankt Augustin is almost certaintly the most disturbing and bizarre we have ever come across. Before the report (<a href="https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/70116/5289984?fbclid=IwAR2iFEuYeL1WHTfhYJXPdI3WnpdLmnfans9e0rA7rTvGO1I7il_6VpRyZpM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which can be seen here for those who struggle to believe it</a>) goes into its details, it recommends persons to “stop reading from here if you are particularly sensitive or just having breakfast". Quite frankly, it seems like sound advice to us.

Police report documents driver’s outrageous actions during HGV inspection

A UK Government plan to allow all licence holders to drive 7.5-ton trucks appears to have moved up a gear according to <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/08/04/motorists-could-allowed-drive-lorries-without-extra-test-brexit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a report in the Daily Telegraph</a>, which says a consultation on the proposal will be launched today. <a href="https://trans.info/en/lgvs-under-7500kg-287595" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to the Sunday Times</a>, the idea was floated by Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey in May. It was thought the controversial proposal could even have been in May's Queen's Speech, but little more had been heard about the plans until yesterday. Government ministers have labelled the change as a “Brexit Bonus", while the Daily Express even goes as far as to call it a “masterplan". However, it appears not everyone is convinced the plan is the right way forward. 

Plan to allow all licence holders to drive 7.5-ton trucks moves up a gear

German and Czech road transport associations have lodged formal complaints to the European Commission regarding the night driving ban in Tyrol. They argue the measure is unnecessary, prevents the free movement of goods, and increases air pollution.

German and Czech hauliers lodge formal complaint against Tyrol to EU Commission

Scandinavian logistics company Postnord has once again pointed towards its subcontractors after police found a lorry hauling one of its trailers had driver, tachograph and tax violations. Two drivers have had their contracts terminated following the results of the police HGV inspection, which took place at the Ånestad control station in Løten at the end of July. 

Postnord points to sub-contractor as HGV drivers are fired for tachograph violations

In a rather emotive Facebook post that included the details of another tachograph manipulation, the Northern Sweden Road Police Department has responded to critics who believe they should focus on fighting “real crime" rather than strictly monitoring lorries and their drivers. 

Road police answers critics who say they should lay off HGVs and fight “real crime”

The possibility of introducing an HGV ban on the A338 was raised and discussed during a recent meeting of local councillors and police representatives, <a href="https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/20598448.banning-hgvs-using-a338-discussed-village-meeting/?ref=rss">reports the Salisbury Journal</a>. 

Councillors and police discuss banning HGVs from A338

Wheely-Safe’s latest generation wheel loss detection system, which combines brake and hub temperature monitoring with an intelligent TPMS, has become one of the first products recognised by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Wheely-Safe wheel loss detection system recognised by DVSA

A lorry driver who was seen asleep on a London street in Lewisham has been taken into custody after testing positive for cocaine.

HGV driver seen asleep on London street tests positive for cocaine

In its latest activity update on Twitter, the DVSA Enforcement team has told of how it caught an HGV driver with an expired licence, only to later learn the new driver ordered to cover for him had allowed him behind the wheel of the truck again.

HGV driver with expired licence to be prosecuted after ignoring DVSA prohibition

Last week, the UK Government launched a consultation to gather industry opinion on a plan to allow all driving licence holders to drive trucks up to 7.5 tons. Logistics UK has said it welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the consultation, adding that the move could help with recruitment and ease pressure on operators. Meanwhile, the RHA has referred to the widespread misleading reporting of the plan, which has given some members of the public the impression that any licence holder would be allowed to drive an HGV.

RHA and Logistics UK respond to consultation on driving licence rule changes

ITD, a major Danish road transport association, has announced that its board has taken the decision to dismiss Jesper Høgh Bach as managing director. The board stated its desire to have a different profile for the post, and has appointed Stefan K. Schou as Høgh Bach's replacement.

Danish road transport association announces change of director

<p class="em_text">Last Thursday, during a lorry inspection conducted on the B20 between Marktl and Burghausen in Germany, a Bulgarian articulated lorry on its way to Burghausen was stopped. It turned out the two Bulgarian drivers in the vehicle had both violated drivers' hours rules on several occasions. 

HGV driver spends 21 days on the road without proper break; 5-digit euro fine set to be issued

A Spanish lorry driver has been fined by French police officers after he was spotted on the hard shoulder cooking his lunch with a gas canister by his parked truck.

HGV driver fined for parking up on the hard shoulder to cook lunch

A lorry inspection conducted on Sweden's National highway 56 near Hjälmaresund last week <a href="https://www.tidningenproffs.se/nyhet/2022/08/otillatet-cabotage-samt-oanmald-utstationering-120-000-kronor/?fbclid=IwAR2jiOJfBs3b1yp9CWuBFdQhRgRXwZUzwAJxoSsfjLjdUgpYsmnUfPCcv0U" target="_blank" rel="noopener">led to one road transport firm being fined SEK 120,000 for cabotage and posted worker violations</a>.

Haulier fined over €11,500 for breach of cabotage and posted worker rules

Public holidays across Europe in the next fortnight mean a number of truck bans are in force on the continent. Here's a summary of what bans apply and where.

Remaining truck bans in Europe this August

Fehrenkötter Transport & Logistik, whose long history dates back to 1929, has been taken over by the LIT Group, it was announced earlier this week. 

93-year-old German haulage company changes hands

A councillor who is part of the Kent County Council's cabinet has suggested one solution to the region's traffic congestion would be to close the Port of Dover down and replace it with a new facility somewhere else. 

Kent councillor suggests replacing Port of Dover as solution to county’s traffic woes