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Land transportation
On 2023 March 1, the European Commission published a proposal which could greatly assist in reducing the strain placed on the road transport industry due to a lack of truck drivers. As we know, the industry has been struggling for an extended period, especially with not having enough drivers to meet the demands of the market. According to a report published by the IRU in 2022, there is a need for an additional 600,000 drivers in Europe. This number may increase to 2 million by 2026, if the forecasts prove to be correct.
Only 6% of professional drivers are below 25 years old, a fact which points to an ever-aging driving population. Thus, these trends are resulting in a steadily decreasing number of those able to transport goods, directly supporting the claims of the IRU forecast for 2026.
Therefore, the European Commission’s proposal is appreciated, and addresses a primary concern. Their main proposed solutions regard lowering the minimum driving age to 18, as well as allowing third-country drivers access to the profession in the EU. The latter solution is greatly supported by the industry, and is a direct response to calls from the sector for such allowances to be implemented.
We encourage our members to participate in providing their input on the latest proposals, so that the most optimal resolutions can be achieved. This can be done at the follow link to the public consultation, have your say today!