Summer traffic restrictions have come into force, alongside intensive checks by the ITD and WIOŚ

The start of the holiday season brings significant challenges for the logistics sector due to the introduction of summer traffic restrictions on lorries weighing over 12 tonnes. The need to plan routes meticulously to avoid weekend delays has now become part of everyday life for hauliers. The situation for transport companies is further complicated by increased checks by road traffic authorities, who are verifying documentation and drivers’ working hours.

Summer transport restrictions and logistical challenges

The summer holidays have begun, and with them the following measures come into force summer traffic bans on heavy goods vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 12 tonnes. These restrictions drastically alter the day-to-day organisation of work in road transport. Hauliers must plan their routes meticulously to avoid downtime at weekends. Furthermore, errors in timetables result in huge financial losses for logistics companies.

The situation in the sector is further complicated by large-scale inspections carried out by the regulatory authorities, which are taking advantage of this particular period. Inspectors are checking not only drivers’ working hours but also the documentation relating to the cargo being transported. As a result, transport companies are currently facing a twofold organisational challenge.

Inspections by the ITD and WIOŚ in relation to the DIWASS system

This year, the Road Transport Inspectorate (ITD) and the Provincial Environmental Protection Inspectorates (WIOŚ) have integrated their operations. These agencies are focusing on monitoring the transport of waste using the state-of-the-art DIWASS system. This tool enables the immediate detection of irregularities in the international and domestic transport of sensitive substances. As a result, officials can accurately identify vehicles that raise any formal concerns for inspection.

Inspectors primarily check shipments on the so-called ‘green list’, which are, in theory, subject to simplified procedures. In practice, however, it is precisely these consignments that cause the most problems during roadside checks. Environmental protection authorities impose heavy fines, as they treat every procedural error as a serious breach of the law.

The Annex VII trap and financial risk

The greatest threat to transport companies’ budgets currently comes from the new paper documents under Annex VII. During the transition period, drivers are making minor clerical errors on a massive scale when filling them in by hand. Unfortunately, ITD inspectors are showing zero tolerance on this issue and are issuing fines for every single breach. As a result, even a minor error in an address or waste code can hold up a journey for many hours.

Hauliers must urgently make their staff aware of the scale of the financial risk during this difficult period. Appropriate training for drivers and double-checking documents before leaving the depot are the only effective safeguards against penalties. Only strict compliance with formal requirements will enable companies to weather this year’s summer bans without financial losses.