
Serbian police officers participated in a ROADPOL-inspired cross-border enforcement operation.
The event was part of the network’s focus on fostering cooperation between EU police authorities and those of the Western Balkans to enhance the enforcement of road traffic rules.
The operation was held on December 3, when the Belgian police’s expertise network, Centrex, organized a large-scale roadside inspection focusing on heavy transport along the E313 highway towards Antwerp. The operation, which involved collaboration between Belgian authorities and international partners, emphasized road safety, working conditions, and the fight against unfair competition in the transport sector.
Target
The comprehensive checks targeted a wide range of issues, including alcohol and drug consumption, seatbelt usage, driver focus, work declarations, compliance with driving and resting times, and tachograph manipulation. Authorities also inspected vehicle documentation, load securing, and adherence to permitted dimensions and weight limits. To detect overloaded vehicles, a fixed weighing installation was employed, and thorough inspections of trucks and their drivers were conducted throughout the day.
Participants
The operation brought together 35 officials, including representatives from the local and federal police, the Labour Prosecutor of Limburg, the Flemish control service Vlabel, and various social inspection services. International collaboration was a key feature, with the involvement of the European Labour Authority (ELA). Foreign police officers from Serbia and Germany also participated, further enriching the exchange of expertise and best practices. Among the international guests were Lieutenant Colonel Milan Malicevic and Major Ivana Dordevic of the Serbian Police, as well as Sven Kilian, a German tachograph expert. The visiting officers were briefed in advance on Belgian roadside inspection practices, providing them with valuable insights into operational procedures.
Results
The inspection, which ran from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., involved the examination of 62 transport combinations, of which 20 were found to be in violation, representing 32 percent of all vehicles checked. Violations included driving without or with someone else’s driver card, non-compliance with driving and resting times, poor or incorrect load securing, incorrect tachograph installation or tampering, AdBlue manipulation, and missing driver certificates or transport licenses. Fines totaling €21,900 were issued on the spot by enforcement teams.
Experience
The Serbian officers gained practical experience by observing Belgian teams in action and participating in tachograph checks. Their presence also facilitated communication with foreign drivers, which enhanced the efficiency of inspections. They were provided with a detailed overview of ELA’s objectives and ROADPOL’s initiatives and discussed how future collaboration could benefit all parties. Sven Kilian and Frederic Martin, both tachograph experts from ROADPOL, offered insights into European and AETR legislation concerning driving and resting times, as well as techniques for detecting tachograph fraud. They also highlighted ROADPOL’s renowned Masterclass on tachograph fraud, one of the most comprehensive training programs in Europe, which Serbia may have the opportunity to join.
Effect
The inspection concluded with a debriefing, during which participants reflected on the day’s successes and the benefits of international collaboration. Both Belgian authorities and their Serbian counterparts expressed optimism about strengthening partnerships under the frameworks of ROADPOL and ELA. This operation not only underscored the importance of cross-border efforts to enhance road safety but also laid the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at improving working conditions for drivers and fostering fairness in the road transport industry.