Prague, November 6, 2023 – Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka has unveiled a proposal to overhaul the Centre for Road Transport Services, aiming to transform it into a road inspection body akin to models in Poland and other countries. The new entity, envisioned as a road inspection authority, will wield enhanced powers to regulate trucks, particularly concerning issues like overloading and the enforcement of regular breaks.

Kupka’s proposed legislation is expected to be presented next spring, with plans for it to take effect in 2025. Notably, the Minister has underscored that this transformation will not impose any additional financial burden on the state, as it will not necessitate the hiring of new state employees.

The rationale behind this move, according to Kupka, is the Center’s current lack of sufficient authority. Presently, when conducting checks, the Center relies on police assistance. However, if police officers are called away for an urgent event, the Center’s employees are unable to proceed with their initiated controls.

The creation of a new inspection body, as envisioned by Kupka, aims to enhance the enforcement against overloaded trucks on Czech motorways and address other traffic-related concerns more consistently. Kupka emphasizes that this proposal has garnered support from Czech freight transporters, who anticipate that this change will level the playing field for both domestic and foreign entities.

Former Transport Minister and Deputy Chairman of ANO, Karel Havlíček, has voiced his general support for the proposal from the opposition movement. However, he has also stressed the importance of greater deployment of high-speed scales on motorways to monitor overloaded trucks more effectively.

Minister Kupka shares the belief that a combination of both measures is required to address the issue comprehensively. He has revealed plans for 13 such high-speed scales to be in operation on Czech motorways by the end of the next year, a significant increase from the current six in operation. This expansion is anticipated to bolster the enforcement efforts against overloaded trucks and improve overall road safety in the Czech Republic.

Article by Prague Forum