30/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 30 January, the European Commission adopted a directive establishing 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) with a view to harmonising these rules and ensuring the same level of protection in the various countries of the EU. The new directive sets three levels of infringements: minor infringements, serious infringements and very serious infringements. This common categorisation will allow competent authorities, on the basis of regular inspections, to determine haulage companies' risk rating and will, the Commission says, also facilitate the exchange of information between member states, with the result that companies committing infringements abroad will be more closely monitored. (A.By./transl.rt)