On Friday, 15 September 2017, the inspection services of the Benelux countries carried out simultaneous checks on road transport at different locations in the three countries.
The controllers of the Belgian Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, the Dutch Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT) and the Luxembourg customs authorities have inspected heavy trucks in Belgium (Parking Texaco E17 in Kruibeke and Parking E19-E42 Masières), in the Netherlands (Venlo A67, Bodegraven A12, Apeldoorn A1 in Gorinchem A15) and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (DZA control area and Customs Centre).
During inspections, heavy goods vehicles were checked in a targeted manner in terms of fraud and tachograph manipulation, respectful driving and rest times and documents. Inspectors inspected 115 heavy goods vehicles in the Benelux (34 in Belgium, 50 in the Netherlands, 31 in Luxembourg), of which 45 were in violation (7 in Belgium, 19 in the Netherlands, 19 in Luxembourg). A total of 47 offenses were found (9 in Belgium, 19 in the Netherlands, 19 in Luxembourg).
This joint control was organised within the framework of the Treaty of Liège signed by the three countries in October 2014. This Treaty focuses on closer cooperation between the Benelux countries on the control and enforcement of Union rules road transport and further harmonisation of the rules. Thanks to this treaty, the Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg inspectors can effectively carry out joint checks on trucks and buses in the Benelux. This cooperation permits the uniform surveillance of road transport and generates savings, as well as fair competition between carriers and correct working conditions for drivers. It also helps increase road safety.
