Special unit of gendarmerie controls trucks in the north of France

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The Transport Control Motorcycle Group (GMCT) is a special unit of the gendarmerie that inspected heavy goods vehicles in the north of France last Tuesday. The gendarmes control the documents of the driver, the vehicle, the cargo, but above all the time of driving and the rest period – reports the French daily La Voix Du Nord.

The unit has been operating for three years and its activity is growing every year due to the increase in road transport of goods.

– In 2017, we carried out 30 inspections and recorded 764 offenses. The amount of 110 thousand euro was paid to the state treasury – says Captain Tanguy, deputy commander of the road safety squad, in a conversation with the daily. – We are doubling the number of our interventions almost every year. We fight with unfair competition and lack of road safety – the officer adds.

Most inspections take place between the A2 motorway and the Lille-Lesquin Regional Transport Center (CRT), but also on the roads towards Dunkerque and often on the RN 41 road. GMCT inspections take place twice a month for six hours mainly in northern France where transit traffic passes.

– On average, we have 30 to 40 offenses during a one-day action – reports the head of the Bleuzet unit. – Fines range from 135 to 4200 euros. We work with the Regional Directorate for Environment, Planning and Housing (DREAL) to weigh trucks and to check dangerous transports together with labor inspectors. We are here to enforce European regulations and avoid accidents. Driving a 40-ton truck is a big responsibility – the gendarme adds.

A week ago, the GMCT carried out about 50 inspections and detected 24 misconduct. The fines imposed on this account totaled 3 459 euro.

Photo: Photo: Twitter/Préfet de la région Hauts-de-France et du Nord

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