Gigantic danger: 43 reports after truck inspection on A23!

Gigantic danger: 43 reports after truck inspection on A23!

On November 6, 2025, there was an informative check on the A23, the southeast bypass, at the Kaisermühlen junction, as reported by the Vienna State Transport Department. Specialists discovered a truck with Croatian registration that was marked as transporting dangerous goods. The load included eight tons of environmentally hazardous liquids, but the inspection revealed worrying deficiencies: nine out of 14 transport containers were either not sealed or only inadequately sealed, and some of the liquid dangerous goods had already leaked.

The driver of the vehicle does not appear to have been well informed because he was unable to provide any information about the loading process. The truck was therefore prohibited from continuing to drive and the officials immediately took action. A total of 43 reports were filed for violations of the Dangerous Goods Transport Act and the regulations on driving and rest times. A specialist company was also called in to clean up the spills, underlining the urgency of the situation.

A look at driving and rest times

But what exactly is behind the regulations on driving and rest times that are discussed here? Commercial drivers are legally obliged to document the driving and rest times they adhere to. According to the ADAC, they are allowed to drive a maximum of 9 hours a day, with an exception of 10 hours on two days per week. There is also a maximum weekly driving time of 56 hours, although this may not total more than 90 hours within a two-week period. The regulations must be observed not only to avoid fines, but also to increase road safety and create fair competition conditions. Various regulations, including Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006, regulate these aspects at EU level.

A central element is the mandatory breaks. After a maximum of 4.5 hours of driving time, a break of at least 45 minutes is required. These breaks can be shared but must be taken during driving time. When it comes to rest periods, the daily rest period of 11 hours, which can be reduced to up to 9 hours, is crucial. A weekly rest period of 45 hours must also be observed to ensure the health and performance of the drivers.

Of consequences and violations

The current situation shows how important these regulations are, in which 43 violations were identified. The penalties for such violations can be severe. Minor violations are punished with fines of between 5 and 55 euros, while more serious violations can cost up to 5,000 euros for the driver and up to 30,000 euros for the business owner. These hefty fines should not be underestimated and are intended to ensure that both drivers and companies take the regulations seriously.

The need for such regulations is clear: they not only serve to ensure road safety, but also to improve working conditions for drivers. After all, no one wants the safety of others to be compromised by ignoring regulations. So when we hear about the controls on the A23 today, it becomes clear once again that compliance with driving and rest times also plays an important role here.

Further information about the regulations and their background can be found here: ADAC and IHK Middle Lower Rhine.