The Ministry of Transport Presents a Code of Good Practices: A Qualitative Leap for Professional Transport?

In an attempt to respond to the historical demands of a sector clamoring for greater safety, recognition, and institutional support, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has presented a draft of the “Code of Good Practices for Road Driving.” This document, more than a simple manual, aspires to become a benchmark for dignifying and further professionalizing an activity essential to the economy. Good practices, in this context, go beyond strict regulatory compliance; they refer to a comprehensive commitment to safe, efficient, sustainable, and ethical driving, prioritizing driver health, the safety of all road users, and environmental protection.

The Ministry’s concrete proposals, detailed in the draft, are structured around several fundamental pillars. In the area of road safety, the management of fatigue and sleep, the correct use of driver assistance systems (ADAS), and incident protocols are emphasized. Regarding operational efficiency, training in efficient driving (eco-driving) and route optimization are promoted. A significant chapter addresses the health and well-being of the professional, with recommendations on ergonomics, physical activity, nutrition, and mental health. Finally, aspects of continuous training and digitalization are incorporated, including cybersecurity and the handling of connected vehicles.

This draft does not come with an imposing character but rather intends to be a living and consensual document. Its main objective at this stage is precisely to gather new contributions and achieve the voluntary approval and adherence of transport associations, unions, and the drivers themselves. The Ministry seeks feedback from the sector to polish the text, ensuring that the proposed practices are realistic, applicable, and truly useful for the daily life of the professional driver. It is an invitation to co-create a quality standard.

Reception by the transport sector is understandably cautious but hopeful. Many organizations see this code as an opportunity to make visible and structure the demands of a highly responsible profession. The key to its success will lie in it not remaining a mere statement of intent, but being accompanied by concrete incentives, such as fee discounts or preferential access to certain aids, and in faithfully reflecting the real challenges of the road.

In conclusion, the draft Code of Good Practices represents an important institutional step towards recognizing professional driving as a high-value activity. If the dialogue during the consultation phase is fruitful and achieves broad support, this text could mark a turning point, establishing a reference framework that unites the administration, companies, and workers in a common goal: making the roads a safer, more efficient, and fairer space for those who make them function. The challenge now is to transform the proposals into a tool adopted with pride by the collective.