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Poor sanitary conditions, low levels of security and lack of parking places in rest areas for truck drivers (debate)
Road freight transport is a key component of the European economy. Any disruption to this sector has an immediate impact on the price and availability of many goods. One of the biggest problems that discourages people from working in the sector is the disastrous state of parking and rest facilities for drivers. When the Commission and Parliament look to the distant future, truck drivers who drive through France, Belgium or Germany every day cannot find a rest area with a clean shower or toilet, or fear robbery and assault by illegal immigrants. The EU does not want drivers to be able to sleep in a clean and safe cabin of their vehicle, but the fact that the only option is a dingy hotel with no safe parking or sanitary facilities is of no concern to anyone in Brussels. Is the Commission keeping its promise to support investment in modern rest places? I heard a lot about this during the work on the mobility package. We warned then that the legislation was out of touch with reality in many places. What does the Commission intend to do to change this before there are no more people willing to work in this profession?