The enforcement operation on 11-15 November 2024 will focus on compliance with driving and rest periods, load securing, vehicle condition and overloading. The operation period is part of the network of European Traffic Police Forces’ (RoadPol) pan-European-enforcement theme. All police departments will take part in the nationwide intensive enforcement operation.
Societal dimension to heavy goods traffic enforcement operation
Professional heavy goods vehicle drivers, transport-related criminality and the grey economy in road transport are among the key targets for the effectiveness of traffic safety work in the Police action and development plan for traffic enforcement and safety (2022-2030). This means that the police enforcement operation has a broader societal dimension in addition to the road safety aspects of heavy and professional traffic. In addition to road safety, the police also monitor the fairness and integrity of competition in the transport sector. For example, overloading has a negative impact on society's infrastructure through, for example, damage to roads and bridges and the cost of repairing them. In addition to overloading, driving and resting time infringements also distort competition in the transport sector to the financial advantage of those who break the law.
Good driver alertness is important
The police have usually inspected between 1,400 and 1,800 heavy goods vehicles in similar enforcement operations. For example, driving and resting time infringements and defective vehicle condition are typical infringements detected during enforcement operations. For example, monitoring drivers' driving and rest periods prevents driver drowsiness, in particular fatigue, and in turn lowers the risks and accidents caused by reduced alertness in heavy goods vehicle drivers.
“The police will carry out roadside inspections of driver rest and driving times for the current day and the previous 28 days, which means that the inspection has a strong past, present and forward-looking traffic safety aspect. By intervening in infringements detected during the inspection, police aim to make drivers themselves aware of the impact of their own driving and resting time infringements or unsecured loads, for example, on their own traffic safety and that of other road users,” says Ville-Veikko Niemi, Police University College intern, and responsible for traffic safety at the National Police Board.
The overall surveillance of commercial road transport is challenging. Most transport is carried out by heavy goods vehicles. Successful exchange of information between the authorities carrying out surveillance plays a key role.
The police will carry out the heavy goods traffic enforcement operation with, for example, the Customs, Finnish Border Guard, Regional State Administrative Agency occupational safety and health, and motor vehicle inspection. In addition, infringements detected during inspections are always reported to the licensing authority, Traficom. This will maximise the overall effectiveness of the checks,” Niemi sums up
