Press Release: Commercial road transport: an important step towards harmonised rules on enforcement

On 20 January, 2009, the European Commission adopted a directive that establishes a common grading of the most common infringements to the so-called 'social rules' in the road transport sector (those that govern driving hours and rest periods of professional drivers in the EU). Establishing a typology of infringements on the basis of their seriousness will put an end to the present situation, where the same infringement may be considered a minor infringement in one country and a more serious infringement in another country. This decision was the response of the Commission to concerns voiced by the road transport industry over the lack of harmonised rules in this area, which undermines fair competition and the smooth operation of businesses.