A major multi-agency enforcement operation targeting heavy goods and passenger transport has resulted in 97 offences detected out of 168 vehicles checked along the E40 motorway in Wetteren, Belgium.
The operation took place on 10 February and formed part of the coordinated European ROADPOL Truck & Bus Operation, bringing together national and international partners in a joint effort to improve road safety and ensure fair transport practices.
Albatross
The fourth edition of the Albatross operation was coordinated by the Road Police of East Flanders and carried out under the supervision of the public prosecutor and the labour auditor. The scale of cooperation was particularly significant, involving Belgian Federal and Local Police, customs authorities, social inspection services and the European Labour Authority (ELA), alongside several national administrations. Inspectors from Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic were also present as observers, underlining the strong European dimension of the action.
Alignment
The operation pursued a clear set of objectives aligned with the ROADPOL Truck & Bus Operation: improving road safety, strengthening fair competition in the transport sector and protecting drivers’ working conditions. These objectives are closely linked to the European regulatory framework established by the EU Mobility Package, which aims to improve social conditions for drivers and ensure a level playing field across the transport sector.
The Albatross action is designed as a comprehensive, all-encompassing inspection of heavy transport. Throughout the day, enforcement authorities examined all critical aspects of compliance, including driving and rest times, the use of smart tachographs, technical vehicle conditions, transport documentation, passenger transport regulations, and compliance with social legislation. Checks also covered alcohol and drug use, emissions systems such as AdBlue, as well as animal welfare and food transport requirements. Drivers were systematically subjected to alcohol and drug screening before further inspections were carried out. Particular attention was given to tachograph data, especially to detect potential misuse such as incorrect manual entries following rest periods, including those related to so-called “Christmas parking”.
Tactics
Vehicles suspected of technical deficiencies were directed to inspection platforms operated by technical services, while specialised inspectors carried out checks on vehicles transporting animals or food. At the same time, labour inspectors closely examined drivers’ working conditions and employment status, including compliance with posting rules and the detection of undeclared or illegal work. Where necessary, vehicles were also checked for the use of illegal fuel. Drivers with outstanding fines or unpaid road taxes were directed to dedicated areas where their situation could be regularised immediately.
The operation was further strengthened by the use of advanced technologies and real-time access to multiple databases. This allowed enforcement officers to verify documents such as driving licences, driver cards, certificates of professional competence, identity documents and residence or work permits without delay. Social inspection services were able to cross-check employment-related data, while enforcement teams used DSRC antennas to remotely access tachograph information. Additional tools included a mobile emission detection vehicle used by the Flemish tax authority and a luggage scanner deployed by customs for passenger transport checks.
Results
Out of the 168 vehicles inspected, 97 were found to be in violation for one or more offences. The majority of infringements related to driving and rest time violations, tachograph misuse, technical non-compliance, load securing issues and irregularities in transport documentation. The total amount of fines issued reached approximately 98,000 euros. In addition, the Flemish tax authority recovered around 100,000 euros in outstanding road taxes, while social inspection services initiated a number of proceedings related to labour infringements. During the operation, 18 passenger cars were also checked, with 13 found to be in violation, leading to an additional 17,000 euros in criminal fines collected by customs.
Devices
A key focus of this edition of the Albatross operation was to verify compliance with the mandatory use of second-generation smart tachographs for international transport within the European Union. These devices represent a crucial tool for enforcement authorities, enabling more effective detection of cross-border infringements and manipulation. The checks carried out during the operation therefore contributed directly to the enforcement of the EU Mobility Package, which introduces important measures to improve working conditions for drivers, prevent social dumping and ensure fair competition throughout the European transport sector.
The name “Albatross”, which stands for “Achieving a Lot By Acting Together Regarding Operational Successes on the Street”, reflects the spirit of the operation. Like the bird with its wide wingspan, the initiative brings together a wide range of services, allowing them to achieve far more collectively than they could individually.
This large-scale operation in Belgium demonstrates the value of coordinated, intelligence-led enforcement at European level. Through the joint efforts of ROADPOL partners and organisations such as the European Labour Authority, authorities continue to strengthen compliance, improve safety on European roads and promote fair and lawful transport across borders.
