Crashes involving heavy goods vehicles account for approximately one in seven road fatalities across the European Union, according to figures highlighted by the European Road Safety Charter, underlining the continuing importance of truck safety, driver welfare and vehicle maintenance. Despite accounting for just 4–5 per cent of police-reported road crashes,...
The European Commission is set to examine possible changes to Driver CPC training requirements as Europe’s road transport industry struggles with a shortage of more than 500,000 professional truck drivers. EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, will host a high-level meeting in Brussels on 1 December to...
Drivers and passengers are being reminded that wearing a seat belt remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a road collision. The European Road Safety Charter has highlighted the continuing importance of seat belts, warning that rear-seat passengers and the...
As the Christmas delivery rush approaches, Irish hauliers need to plan for every hour their drivers spend working—not just the time behind the wheel. Extra deliveries, busy distribution centres and tight booking slots can put pressure on schedules. A driver may still have driving time available but need a break...
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has expressed its full support for the International Road Transport Union (IRU) in its campaign for stronger EU legislation to tackle late payments to road transport operators. Late payments remain a serious problem for hauliers across Europe, placing additional financial pressure on an industry...
LeShuttle Freight has launched Bedtime Stories, a new digital storytelling platform designed to help professional freight drivers stay connected with their children while working away from home. The initiative recognises the personal sacrifices made by the professional drivers who keep goods moving between Britain and continental Europe. LeShuttle Freight driver...
Irish commercial vehicle workshops should prepare for closer scrutiny of diesel emissions systems as the EU negotiates changes to vehicle testing and roadside inspections. The proposed Roadworthiness Package includes more sophisticated methods for measuring particle numbers and nitrogen oxide emissions, potentially making defective or manipulated exhaust after-treatment systems easier to...
Irish hauliers face a changing European regulatory landscape in 2027, with developments affecting freight documentation, dangerous goods, charging infrastructure and vehicle purchasing. However, operators drawing up budgets and replacement plans need to distinguish between confirmed deadlines, obligations placed on public authorities and proposals still being negotiated. Two particularly important distinctions...
Nationwide fuel protest convoys planned for Friday, 13 November, have been cancelled, but a Dublin demonstration remains planned as hauliers face extensive summit-related traffic restrictions in the capital. The People of Ireland Against Fuel Prices Protest group has withdrawn its nationwide rolling protests, citing Garda warnings, potential consequences for participants’...
A truck that starts on a mild November morning can still have weaknesses that become apparent when temperatures fall. A tired battery, worn wiper blades or a neglected air dryer can quickly turn a routine delivery into a breakdown. For Irish hauliers, winter preparation means dealing with persistent rain, darkness,...
A proposed €91.3 billion EU infrastructure budget could help deliver better freight connections, secure truck parking and alternative fuels infrastructure, with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) calling for road transport to receive a substantial share. IRU has welcomed the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) and Industry, Research and...
The logistics sector has faced its fair share of scares in 2026, with disruption exposing some businesses’ weaknesses, and undermining their profitability and customer confidence. So, if the past year has taught the industry anything, it’s that operating conditions can change at a moment’s notice, and a business performing ‘OK’...
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is calling for Government intervention over toll increases due from 1 January 2027, warning that higher transport costs will add to pressure on operators and feed through to household shopping bills. The association says hauliers already facing rising fuel costs and severe financial pressure...
Irish hauliers face a year-end squeeze as the EU framework allowing governments to compensate transport businesses for exceptional fuel costs approaches expiry, while diesel markets are expected to remain tight into 2027. As of 10 November, just 51 days remain until 31 December 2026, the published expiry date for the...