1. UNECE Working Party on Road Transport
Security in Euro-Asian Road Transport: Attacks on International Drivers Peter Krausz International Road Transport Union
UNECE Working Party on Road Transport
Geneva, October 2007
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

2. THE PROBLEM
Security = major concern across transport and logistics chain:
theft of goods, vehicles,
illegal immigration,
smuggling of goods…
Violent attacks on truck drivers a growing problem
Until recently, anecdotal evidence only.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

3. Complexity
Multitude of actors involved: drivers, companies, police/law enforcement agencies, authorities, trade associations, unions, insurers, truck parking operators, etc.
Reporting, recording and monitoring = weak in most countries.
Measures to combat crime = not or hardly implemented.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

4. Objectives
Better ascertain nature and scale of the problem; what each actor is doing
Explore methods used, costs (commercial loss, human suffering)
Propose practical recommendations for stakeholders
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

5. Methodology Survey of international HGV drivers, managers
Web-based questionnaire (26 languages; responses)
Face-to-face random driver interviews conducted at or near 4 locations (1 275 responses):
Berlin
Budapest and Szeged
Several locations near London
Turin
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

6. Methodology (2)
Survey of competent authorities (via Ministries of Transport)
Responses from 24 countries across Europe
Special inquiries to transport companies (248 responses) and
Trade Unions (limited no. of responses)
Desk research on several issues e.g. incidence of gas attacks on drivers
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

7. To keep in mind…
Several persistent factors hinder robustness of information:
Lack of systematic driver/company reporting and recording of attacks means Authorities may not be fully aware of the scale of the problem.
With the exception of several countries focusing on the problem (UK, Netherlands) : lack of consistent, targeted data collection/ monitoring on the part of authorities.
Inadequate police investigation/follow-up in many countries.
Better reporting & recording of attacks, data collection and monitoring needed! Reported survey information to be handled with great care!
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

8. Key Results - Drivers
1 in 6 (or 17%) of drivers (random FtF-interviewed) attacked in the past 5 years (30% more than once).
Target:
63% - vehicle and its load targeted
43% - driver’s personal belongings
21% of drivers physically assaulted; 32% of attacks involved the use of gas (approx. 1 in 3 of attacked drivers!)
42% of attacks in truck parking areas; 19% at motorway lay-bys
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9. Share of Attacked Drivers
17,8%
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10. Preferred crime targets
* primary attacks (476); figures overlap
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11. Method of attack * primary attacks (476)
** Examples of “Other” include: armed robbery, being shot at and having stones thrown at the driver / vehicle.
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12. Attack locations * primary attacks (476)
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13. Key Results – Drivers 2 30% did not call the police: Why?
lack of trust in authorities (12%),
language difficulties (5%)
fear of consequences (1%)
authorities paid “no attention” (21%)
arrest of the criminals (2%)
35% of drivers: attacks had affected their working life; 25% of attacks had an impact on personal life; 9% seeking medical and/or psychological attention.
18% reported adequate company support in case of attacks
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

14. Key Results - Financial Loss
Loss per incident (TruckPol, UK, from over 6’000 cases): app. Euro 40’000
476 recorded attacks identified (FtF interviews); theft in 60% = 286 cases
Loss for 286 cases: Euros 12 million
(286*40’000) plus personal belongings
Total extrapolated direct costs: Euro 7.2 billion
(5 years, 1.6 million drivers)
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

15. Key Results - Authorities
Yes % No
Is the Gov’t authority aware of attacks on drivers? 15 63 9 37
Are attacks tracked and monitored? 12 50
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16. Key Results – Authorities 2
9 countries (37%) signalled contact person handling transport crime issues
14 (58%) reported no specific agency to deal with attacks on HGV drivers, truck theft…
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17. Key Results – Authorities 3
Question regarding attacks
No. of countries
Policy priority? 7
National legislation?
Yes: 7; No: 17
Provide information/advice to operators? 11
Coordination with other government bodies/law enforcement to track attacks? 9
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

18. Key Results - Companies
248 companies have replied
Aware of attacks: 50%; not aware 33% (rest: no reply)
Insurance: 40% provide drivers with some insurance; 22% does not provide any
Drivers’ recovery time: companies report shorter time periods than drivers
Company security policy: 33% - no new policy: 22% new measures
Driver counselling: 45% provides advice/training, 21% - none
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

19. Recommendations – All Actors
Improve reporting, recording and monitoring of attacks on drivers of heavy goods vehicles
This concerns drivers, police/ law enforcement/ transport companies
Government needs to provide the policy and legislative framework.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

20. Recommendations - Authorities
Develop a policy, legislative framework for better reporting, recording and tracking attacks on drivers;
Establish a road freight crime unit to oversee this issue across the country, serve as a contact point.
Initiate, assist and facilitate the establishment of a network of safe and secure truck parking facilities -- especially along key routes;
Establish incident reporting and recording structures for authorities at all levels;
Provide intelligence/information and advice to police officers, transport companies and drivers on trends...
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

21. Recommendations – Associations
Raise awareness with member operators of attacks on drivers;
Promote guidelines for risk prevention and problem solution with members;
Support and harmonise training activities on security-related issues;
Cooperate with government authorities including national police and law enforcement agencies...
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

22. Recommendations - Companies
Provide security awareness training for drivers;
Equip vehicles with robust security devices;
Increase depot security;
Issue drivers with appropriate security and crime prevention instructions (route planning, parking areas, etc) and a clear policy on what to do if they come under attack;
Increase incident reporting discipline.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

23. Recommendations - Drivers
Be aware of the risk of attacks to ensure personal safety, health and security as well as to protect the vehicle and its load – including personal effects;
Exercise all recommendated guidelines to minimize risk of attack;
Report all attacks to local police / authorities; your company.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006

24. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2006