24 March 2023

ECG DINNER ON THE SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS IN VEHICLE LOGISTICS

CLECAT participated this week to a dinner debate organised by ECG, the European Association of Vehicles Logistics, at the European Parliament. Hosted by MEP Peter Lundgren (ECR, Sweden), the event was the opportunity to discuss the current shortage of drivers in road freight transport and the possible measure to alleviate it.

Participants acknowledged that the shortage of professional drivers in Europe put at risk the whole logistics supply chain: it is estimated that the industry will lack up to 2 million drivers by 2026, if nothing is done. The European Commission started work on this issue, as Claire Depré, Head of the “Road Safety” Unit in DG MOVE gave a keynote speech presenting the Road Safety Package which was adopted by the Commission on 1st March. The proposal revising the Driving License Directive provides some measures aimed at facilitating the access to the profession to young people, including the possibility to start accompanied driving of lorries from the age of 17.

Speakers and attendees got the chance to engage in a lively debate on the driver shortage issue, and could discuss amendments to the revised Driving License Directive and other socio-economic measures to attract more people to the road freight logistics sector.