Earlier, we reported that the ongoing heatwave across Europe is disrupting logistics. According to European experts, heatwaves are becoming longer and more intense each year, with tens of thousands of heat-related deaths recorded across the continent. Although there are still no separate statistics for truck drivers, industry organizations are increasingly reporting cases of heatstroke, dehydration, and deteriorating driver health.
For professional truck drivers, the effects of extreme heat begin long before they hit the road. Overheated truck cabins, long waits at exposed loading terminals, loading operations under direct sunlight, and overnight stays in parking areas where the asphalt remains hot well into the night place enormous strain on the body. Even when the tachograph records a rest period, drivers often fail to recover properly.
Air Conditioning Has Become a Safety Feature
Industry experts stress that a properly functioning air conditioning system during summer is just as important as reliable brakes or properly maintained tires.
Sleeping in an overheated cabin reduces sleep quality, while chronic sleep deprivation lowers concentration, slows reaction times, and increases the risk of road accidents.
For this reason, carriers are advised to inspect air conditioning systems, auxiliary parking coolers, cabin ventilation, refrigerators, and engine cooling systems before every summer trip.
EU Regulations Are Raising Employer Responsibilities
European legislation already places clear obligations on employers to ensure safe working conditions.
EU Regulation No. 561/2006, together with the Mobility Package, prohibits drivers from taking their regular weekly rest inside the truck cabin. Drivers must be provided with suitable accommodation outside the vehicle.
At the same time, national legislation in several EU countries now requires employers to consider the impact of extreme heat when organizing work. In Italy, for example, companies are legally required to assess overheating risks in workplaces, including commercial vehicle cabins. If these risks are ignored and a driver suffers heatstroke, the employer may face administrative, civil, or even criminal liability.
Transport Companies Are Changing Operations
Across Europe, transport companies are already adapting their operating procedures.
Physically demanding tasks such as securing cargo, handling tarpaulins, or loading and unloading freight are increasingly being scheduled during the early morning or evening hours. Drivers are being provided with additional breaks, drinking water, electrolytes, and parking areas equipped with showers, toilets, and facilities that allow cabins to cool safely.
Several Italian regions have already introduced restrictions on outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day. Similar measures could also affect logistics terminals and freight handling operations.
Heat Requires a New Approach to Route Planning
Planning a summer transport operation can no longer rely solely on mileage and delivery schedules.
Dispatchers must also consider weather alerts, ambient temperatures, expected waiting times at terminals, shaded rest areas, sanitary facilities, and safe overnight parking.
Experts note that cutting costs on air conditioning maintenance, vehicle servicing, or driver welfare can ultimately prove far more expensive than preventive measures.
The Risks Extend Beyond Drivers
Extreme temperatures also accelerate vehicle wear and tear.
Engines, braking systems, electronics, refrigeration units, and batteries are all subjected to greater stress during heatwaves. Underinflated tires pose an additional hazard, as they heat up more quickly on scorching pavement and are more likely to fail.
As a result, carriers are advised to check tire pressure, coolant levels, radiators, braking systems, and air conditioning equipment before every trip during hot weather.
Safety Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage
Extreme heat is gradually changing the way European transport companies organize their operations. What was once viewed as a temporary seasonal inconvenience is now considered a major operational risk.
Companies that adapt schedules, invest in modern cooling systems, and provide drivers with proper rest conditions not only reduce the likelihood of accidents and heat-related illnesses but also ensure compliance with European labor and transport regulations.
As climate change continues to intensify, protecting drivers’ health is no longer simply a matter of corporate social responsibility—it is becoming one of the key factors determining the safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of international road transport.
Read also: Heatwave Disrupts European Logistics
