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On September 18, the government decided to introduce a fine for illegal vehicle runoff. Drivers can be fined NOK 2,000, while transport companies can be fined NOK 20,000. The change comes into effect immediately.
Both Yrkestrafikkforbundet and the Norwegian Truck Owners' Association were strongly critical of the proposal in the hearing. YTF believes that the fees may affect drivers for circumstances beyond their control.
– We must have safe roads, and runoff must be taken seriously. But the driver should not pay for the fish being too hot or the boxes leaking when the load is delivered for transport, says union leader Trude Sande.
Responsibility must lie where the problem arises.
In the consultation response from February, YTF The problem largely occurs before the journey begins. Fish that is not sufficiently chilled before loading produces meltwater during transport. Leaky crates allow the water to drain out.
The shipper controls the cooling before loading and chooses the packaging. Even if the driver maintains the correct temperature in the vehicle, runoff can continue.
YTF therefore warned against putting drivers in a situation where they have to choose between risking a fine and refusing to perform the work they are assigned.
"We asked the authorities to address the cause of the runoff. Then the demands must be directed at those who can actually ensure that the fish is sufficiently refrigerated and properly packaged," says Sande.
YTF will take the case for the members
The Ministry of Transport and Communications states that responsibility and blame must be assessed specifically in each individual case. Fee decisions can be appealed, and it is also possible to apply for the fee to be waived.
YTF will monitor how the rules are practiced, and take the case of members who receive a fine for runoff that is due to circumstances for which the driver cannot be blamed.
– If you receive such a fee, you should contact us. We will help you have the case assessed and dispute the fee if there is no basis for holding you liable. You should not be alone in this, says Sande.
In parallel, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has been assigned to assess the risk of infection from fish runoff and requirements for tight packaging. YTF has called for such measures and will continue to monitor the work.
– We are not giving up on this. The goal is rules that both make the roads safer and place responsibility where it belongs, says Sande.
