Dangerous truck parking violations surge at German highway rest areas
A recent inspection has revealed severe parking violations at rest areas along German highways. The ADAC found that nearly half of the checked sites had trucks parked in dangerous zones, including entrances and hard shoulders. The ongoing shortage of spaces is forcing drivers to use unauthorised areas, creating safety risks.
The Lohfelden East rest area near Kassel on the A7 in Hesse recorded up to 138 parking violations, with three classified in the highest risk category. Across 100 inspected sites, 48 had trucks blocking critical areas like exits and access roads. Another 85 locations showed lorries parked in car-designated spots or on unauthorised surfaces.
The ADAC’s findings highlight ongoing safety concerns at German rest areas due to chronic space shortages. Without faster expansion and improved management, illegal parking will likely continue, increasing risks for drivers and other road users. The call for political intervention and private-sector cooperation aims to address the long-standing issue.
