One of the greatest threats to drivers, their vehicles and transported goods on the road are unsecured car parks or a lack of parking space. So - How to recognize and choose safe parking lots for trucks?
Choosing a safe parking lot is incredibly important.
💠 Thanks to this, the driver will be able to rest freely without worrying about the vehicle and the transported goods. Car parks that meet the standards are well-stocked and suitable for a few hours of rest. They have sanitary facilities and often shops. It is worth planning the route so that there is a place on the guarded parking lot along the way.
💠 The risk of goods being stolen will be reduced. Secure parking lots are illuminated, monitored and full of other trucks.
💠 Moreover, in many European countries, parking trucks in places other than designated parking lots may result in a fine.
Classification of car parks by SSTPA (Secure and Safe Truck Parking Areas) project.
In 2017-2018, the European Commission established a project to improve the safety and security of trucks in European parking lots. They created a classification of car parks, common to all Member States.
Parking division according to SSTPA:
Low level (brown),
Medium level (silver),
High level (gold and platinum).
The following conditions must be met at each level:
💠 toilets divided into women’s and men’s (functioning, accessible and regularly cleaned),
💠 showers divided into women’s and men’s,
💠 waste bins,
💠 safety signs and emergency numbers placed in visible places,
💠 snacks and drinks available 24/7,
💠 Internet connection and electrical connection.
Basic parking information that the driver and carrier must know.
According to the EU regulation - "Safe and secured parking" means a parking lot for users of commercial vehicles allowing them to avoid inappropriate parking and contributing to the safety of drivers and cargo", whereas "user" means the driver of a truck or commercial vehicle, but also the sending entity - carrier, the traffic management entity, as well as any other entities, including cargo owners, insurance companies. By law, they should all receive information regarding the safety and possibilities of using the parking lot from the parking operator.
Information the user must receive:
💠 identification data of the parking lot (name, address),
💠 location of the entrance to the car park (latitude and longitude),
💠 the main road identifier,
💠 distance of any exit from the main road (km/mile),
💠 the number of parking spaces available or its current status (free/full/closed), including the number of spaces for refrigerated vehicles,
💠 information on specific equipment or services for special trucks and other vehicles,
💠 the price of the parking space and the currency in which the fee can be paid,
💠 a description of the security, safety and service facilities of the car park concerned, including the national classification,
💠 contact details of the car park operator who is obliged to provide the above information (name and surname, phone number, operator’s consent to the publication of said data).
What's it like with these parking lots?
Unfortunately, we can say that 100% safe parking - does not exist. Unfortunately, thefts sometimes occur even in well-secured parking lots.
But what should you pay attention to?
A safe parking lot meets the safety requirements contained in the general terms and conditions of the OCP and the terms of the transport contract.
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