From July 22 to 28, the GNR conducted a surveillance operation aimed at heavy passenger vehicles and vehicles used for the collective transport of children, in order to ensure compliance with applicable legal regulations, promote road safety for its users and to reduce road accident rates.

In the context of transport by heavy-duty vehicles, public passenger transport was particularly sensitive, as failure to comply with legal regulations, particularly safety rules, driving and rest time violations, or risky behaviour can jeopardise the safety and physical integrity of a large number of passengers.

The summer season is also conducive to the circulation of vehicles for the collective transport of children and young people up to 16 years old, to and from educational establishments, kindergartens and other facilities or spaces where educational or formative activities take place, namely to practice sports or cultural activities, study visits and other organised trips for leisure.

During the operation a total of 2.154 vehicles were inspected for passenger transport and 449 notices were issued, of which the following stand out:

117 because the vehicles did not have the technical characteristics to carry out this type of transport, as well as due to the lack of mandatory equipment, namely the lack of extinguishers and first aid box

91 for non-compliance with driving times, mandatory breaks and non-compliance with rest times

32 due to lack of licensing or the vehicles

20 passenger transport without the use of an approved and adapted seat belt or child restraint

16 for driving heavy passenger vehicles without a driver´s license

14 for lack or incorrect completion of the documentation required for the type of service

13 for non-compliance with the rules concerning the installation and use of the tachograph

Four for lack of license for the exercise of the activity

Four for the lack of use of retro-reflective vest and signalling racket at road crossings (children)

Two for driving vehicles used to transport children without a driver´s certificate

One for lack of vigilantes

One for overcrowding