IP/09/418

Brussels, 19 March 2009

Transport: Commission sends a reasoned opinion to Austria for failing to report on the implementation of EU legislation to protect truck drivers

Austria has failed to report on the implementation of EU legislation aimed at preventing truck drivers working unhealthy long hours. The Commission today sent a reasoned opinion to this Member State, which has until May to respond.

Under Directive 2002/15/EC Member States are required to submit a report every two years on the implementation of the EU legislation on working time of professionals performing mobile road transport activities. Austria failed to submit its biennial national report for the years 2005 and 2006, which it was obliged to do no later than 30 September 2007.

The Commission needs these reports to comply with its own obligation to report every two years to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of the Directive in the Member States and developments in the field.