Germany’s Federal Transport Minister, Andreas Scheuer, has said that 90 million euros is to be spent on creating lorry parks using private car parks and commercial yards near existing motorway exits.
At the present time, many lorry parks in Germany are completely full on a regular basis, leading to many drivers having to extend their journeys to find a safe and legal place to park. This investment is intended to alleviate the problem.
Andreas Scheuer told German tabloid Bild on Tuesday that the new sites would be available all-year-round and contain basic facilities:
The new funding program is also about better conditions during rest. The newly created parking spaces should have showers and toilets, be available all year round, at least at night, and it should be possible to book a place online on special websites.
Scheuer added that it was important that drivers can rest properly so as to continue their journey safely:
„The prerequisite for safe truck traffic on the road is that the truckers can park their trucks safely – and not have to park their trucks somewhere in the Wild West because the parking spaces are full, as otherwise they would violate their driving and rest times. It is important for us to resolve this dilemma and at the same time eliminate a source of danger for other road users. That is why we are investing specifically in the expansion of parking spaces – for the first time also at truck stops and in commercial areas. Only when truck drivers are well rested and well looked after can they continue their trip safely and relaxed. „
Photo credit: Jochen Teufel / Wikimedia Commons