Germany successful campaign against mega trucks

There is a public debate about longer heavier vehicles taking place in Germany. The issue is very present in the mass media, with some stirring articles being published; organisations from all sections of society are taking sides; politicians are having to put their cards on the table.

The fact that the danger posed by mega trucks came into the public domain at all is due to a joint campaign that centred on the German Pro-Rail Alliance (Allianz pro Schiene). Their campaign defeated the strategy followed by the mega truck lobby which wanted to get their vehicles licensed without anyone realising. The mega truck lobby, made up of manufacturers and large road hauliers, knows that there is no public support for their vehicles.

Using various methods such as a campaign website, petitions, letters to politicians, a survey of public opinion and above all press relations, the campaign alliance succeeded in getting its message about the dangers of mega trucks across and mobilising a broad opposition front.

The German campaign 'No mega trucks – put freight on rail” is supported by environmental groups, trade unions, automobile clubs, consumer organisations and railway groups. Other organisations have now shown solidarity with the campaign, including the German police federation, the German Association of Cities and numerous automobile clubs. Freight forwarder and politicians are also supporting the campaign. A remarkably broad front against mega trucks.

However, the final decision on whether longer heavier vehicles should be given a EU-wide license will be taken in Brussels. For this reason, the German Pro-Rail Alliance has joined forces with the European organisations Friends of the Earth Europe, the European Automobilclubs EAC and the European Transport Workers' Federation ETF to found the 'No Mega Trucks' campaign, which will give organisations across the whole of Europe the opportunity to take a stand against mega trucks and to create national campaign networks.

Martin Roggermann

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