Spanish Transport in Crisis: Insecurity, 44 Tonnes and Digital Divide Choke the Sector

The road transport sector in Spain is facing a multifaceted crisis that jeopardizes its present and future. Three major challenges are converging simultaneously: growing insecurity on the roads, the controversial increase of the weight limit to 44 tonnes, and a digital divide that threatens to leave many professionals behind. This perfect storm affects a sector already burdened by structural problems such as the difficulty in attracting new generations, endangering the viability of thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises that are the backbone of the Spanish economy.

Insecurity has become a primary concern. The data is telling: 52% of carriers have been victims of theft in the last five years, and most alarmingly, 6% report having suffered physical assaults during these incidents. This situation not only represents economic losses but also creates an environment of constant vulnerability for professionals who must work alone, often during night hours and in remote areas, turning every journey into a calculated risk.

In the economic sphere, the increase to 44 tonnes is facing majority rejection based on concrete realities. 44% of carriers believe this measure will push many competitors out of the market, and their skepticism is founded on a conviction shared by 79% of the sector: they will not be able to pass the increase in operational costs onto the rates they negotiate with their clients. This perspective turns a theoretically efficient measure into a threat to the profitability of smaller companies, which fear being forced to assume higher costs without fair compensation.

The digital transformation adds another layer of complexity to the scenario. Despite the legal deadlines set, nearly 70% of carriers confess to feeling “little or not at all prepared” to implement obligations such as electronic invoicing. This technological gap is not merely generational; it reflects a lack of accessible and adequate training tailored to the reality of the sector, where many professionals feel overwhelmed by bureaucratic requirements that are far removed from their practical experience behind the wheel.

The confluence of these three fronts – growing insecurity, economic uncertainty, and technological lag – demands a coordinated and realistic response. The authorities face the challenge of implementing policies that, beyond imposing new regulations, guarantee basic safety conditions on the roads, ensure fair remuneration that allows for the sector’s sustainability, and facilitate an inclusive digital transition. The future of transport depends on finding consensus-based solutions that recognize the essential contribution of this sector to the national economy.