WRITTEN QUESTION E-1567/97 by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission (6 May 1997)

Subject: French ban on driving at weekends

Is the Commission aware of the fact that many transport firms in various Member States are inconvenienced by the French government's ban on driving for a large part of the weekend and suffer unnecessary costs as a result. Since driving via Germany is no solution, because there is a ban on driving on Sundays in Germany, too, it is often necessary to make an additional night's stop. Because of the very low margins in the goods transport by road sector, many companies simply cannot afford the additional vehicles and staff required. This is particularly true of carriers of perishable goods and specialized transport, because of the additional storage facilities which are needed.

Is the Commission also aware of the fact that the safety arguments put forward by the French government with regard to driving at the weekend do not apply to Saturday evenings when there is very little traffic on the motorways?

Does the Commission feel, moreover, that it runs counter to its efforts to shift as much traffic as possible away from peak times if there is a threat to prevent freight transport on a major European North-South route on Saturday evenings?

In view of the foregoing, can the Commission give consideration to a proposal to encourage the French government to shift the ban on weekend driving to Sunday morning so that drivers have an opportunity of reaching their destination on Saturday evening, thereby not discriminating against road transport firms in various Member States compared with goods carried by different modes of transport?

If so, how does the Commission intend to induce the French government to do this?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (25 June 1997)

The Commission is aware of the change in the conditions of movement for the carriage of goods on Sundays and public holidays in France.

Before this decision, the banning of lorries over 7.5 tonnes total weight on the roads in France from Saturday 10 p.m. to Sunday 10 p.m. and on public holidays was accompanied by certain general exemptions. These exemptions were granted for urgent economic activities (the carriage of perishable goods, live animals) which could not be delayed and to allow, in international traffic only, French or foreign vehicles to return to their residence, their home base or their country of registration. The French authorities withdrew this latter exemption, with effect from 24 March 1997.

France is neither the first nor the only Member State to prohibit the movement of lorries on Sundays and public holidays. The prohibition has been justified by the French authorities on the grounds of improving road safety and protecting local residents against excessive nuisance. It is not discriminatory since it applies to French lorries as much as it does to all others.

However, the Commission is aware of the negative implications of the current situation regarding bans on night and weekend driving for international road haulage in the Community. Therefore, it will discuss the general issue of driving bans with Member States and the industry in order to assess whether Community action in this field would be feasible and desirable.