New German night ban on trucks
Night-time driving too noisy for four provinces
A new night ban on trucks in four German provinces has been strongly criticised by haulage and logistics association BGL.
From 15 March, all trucks weighing more than 3.5 tonnes will be banned from driving on federal highways B3 and B252, in the state of Hesse, between 10pm and 6am.
A previous ban on night driving in the affected provinces of Waldeck-Frankenberg, Schwalm-Eder, Marburg-Biedenkopf and the Hochsauerlandkreis ended in September 2006.
Transport minister for Hesse Dieter Posch said that since then checks had revealed traffic on the roads had exceeded night-time noise limits of 62dB.
Anyone applying for exemption must justify why he has to drive at night and, if granted, pay €95 a year for a licence for the first vehicle and €45 a year for each additional vehicle.
While residents are said to be pleased about the new ban, businesses in the affected areas are reportedly appalled, and said their trucks would have to take lengthy detours, adding costs as well as having a negative impact on the environment.
BGL CEO Karlheinz Schmidt said: "A lasting solution to the traffic problems on the B3 and B252 can only be the fastest-possible continued construction of the A49.
“In the meantime, we need a sense of proportion, and not populism.”
From 15 March, all trucks weighing more than 3.5 tonnes will be banned from driving on federal highways B3 and B252, in the state of Hesse, between 10pm and 6am.
A previous ban on night driving in the affected provinces of Waldeck-Frankenberg, Schwalm-Eder, Marburg-Biedenkopf and the Hochsauerlandkreis ended in September 2006.
Transport minister for Hesse Dieter Posch said that since then checks had revealed traffic on the roads had exceeded night-time noise limits of 62dB.
Anyone applying for exemption must justify why he has to drive at night and, if granted, pay €95 a year for a licence for the first vehicle and €45 a year for each additional vehicle.
While residents are said to be pleased about the new ban, businesses in the affected areas are reportedly appalled, and said their trucks would have to take lengthy detours, adding costs as well as having a negative impact on the environment.
BGL CEO Karlheinz Schmidt said: "A lasting solution to the traffic problems on the B3 and B252 can only be the fastest-possible continued construction of the A49.
“In the meantime, we need a sense of proportion, and not populism.”
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