Europe Steps Up Surveillance of Heavy Transport with Specialised Checks

The European Union is preparing for a new phase of supervision on its roads. The European network of traffic police, known as Roadpol, will deploy the third and final Truck&Bus campaign of the year from 17 to 23 November 2025. This operation, which will be carried out in a coordinated manner in countries such as Spain and Italy, will set up checkpoints on roads, service areas and logistics hubs to inspect industrial vehicles and buses. The initiative is not isolated, as the organisation has already revealed its calendar for 2026, with campaigns planned for February, May and November, demonstrating a strategy of continuous and planned surveillance.

The importance of these checks lies in their dual objective: to guarantee road safety and preserve fair competition in the transport sector. The officers do not limit themselves to routine checks; their inspection focuses on high-risk factors. They will prioritise the weight and securing of the load, the technical condition of critical elements such as tyres and brakes, and, very significantly, strict compliance with driving and rest times. The fight against the manipulation of the tachograph, a device intended to record driver activity, is another cornerstone, as its fraud distorts the market and endangers all road users.

The need for this campaign is supported by the results of the May 2025 edition. Then, the most recurring offence was non-compliance with rest regulations. Drivers were detected who did not take mandatory breaks, exceeded permitted driving hours and even took their weekly rest inside the truck cab, an explicitly prohibited practice. This was compounded by a worrying number of cases of manipulated tachographs, a practice that not only compromises safety but also economically harms companies operating within the law.

To combat increasingly sophisticated fraud techniques, Roadpol is investing in the advanced training of law enforcement agencies. Recently, in October, an international course specialised in detecting manipulations in smart tachographs was organised. This training was attended by seventeen control agents from eleven countries, including Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, with the valuable collaboration of the European Labour Authority. The goal is clear: to standardise inspection criteria across the continent and sharpen the ability to detect irregularities.

These campaigns, executed on the ground by national traffic police within the Roadpol network, are crucial to deterring irresponsible practices. The massive presence of checks at strategic points sends a strong message to operators who prioritise profit over safety. By ensuring that all drivers get enough rest and that vehicles are in perfect condition, it directly contributes to reducing accidents on roads used by millions of citizens.

Looking ahead, the agenda is already set. The November 2025 checks will give way to a new cycle of three campaigns throughout 2026. This medium-term planning confirms that the European Union and its security forces have made the surveillance of professional transport a permanent priority. The combination of surprise road operations with continuous specialised training lays the foundation for a safer, fairer and more controlled transport ecosystem in the years to come.