Brussels, 04/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - Cabotage, sanctions, working conditions, the multiplicity of road charging systems, shortage of drivers: these are the recurring problems facing road transporters, problems which CLECAT, the European Association of Forwarding, Transport, Logistic and Customs Services, would like to see the Commission address when the internal market in road freight transport is reviewed. CLECAT says that the Commission must not seek uniform quality performance indicators; rather these indicators should be specific to each category of service provider (freight forwarders, hauliers road transport services, etc): with market forces generally setting the quality level suited to the contractual requirements involved, any attempt to devise common quality indicators could lead to greater confusion.
CLECAT says, too, that an over-regulation or insufficient market opening can, in some instances, be harmful, particularly with regard to energy performance: rules on the European Modular System (mega lorries) or cabotage (where a European transporter can operate in a state other than the one where its headquarters are to be found) are examples. CLECAT considers that cabotage rules are too restrictive and enjoins the Commission to authorise free and unrestricted cabotage by 2014. The association would also like to see harmonisation of levels of penalties and enforcement practices. It would also like to see harmonised road signs and speed limits, as this could reduce the chances of drivers unintentionally infringing rules. Still with the same desire to simplify freight transport and working conditions for professional drivers, CLECAT calls for interoperable electronic road toll systems to be put in place as quickly as possible (with the 2004 directive being applied), and for member states to provide a reasonable number of safe parking areas for lorries. The association also warns of a shortage of qualified drivers and calls for there to be better access to training. (MD/transl.rt)