Longer heavier vehicles (LHVs) will not be able to drive in the Netherlands during bad weather conditions, reports the Netherlands Association of Transport and Logistics (TLN). The changes enter into force on January 1, 2019.
Super lorries will not be able to participate in road traffic in bad weather conditions. The association lists frost, dense fog, extreme rainfall and storms as factors that would increase the risk of accidents.
According to Dutch law, LHVs are already banned from participating in road traffic during bad weather. In practice, however, these regulations are very often interpreted differently by drivers who explain that they do not know fully whether specific weather conditions pose a threat or not.
That is why the new provisions will combine with weather alerts. In this way, drivers will get a clear signal about the situation that prevails on the road. When hazardous weather events occur, the Royal Meteorological Institute (KNMI) will issue an appropriate message. Then, the Water Management Board (Tijkswaterstaat) transforms issued warnings into recommendations for all drivers. Information about alerts will be transmitted via the media and will be available to everyone.
In connection with the regulations coming into force, the truckers should know two codes – orange (ie get ready) and red (ie take action). When one of them is announced, the drivers will not be able to go on the road until the weather has improved. The detailed description of each weather code can be accessed by clicking on this link.
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