Snowfall and a prefectural decree have brought traffic to a standstill for truckers in the Sarthe department of France, leaving many stranded at rest areas and facing overnight delays.
Drivers Face Delays as Snowfall Prompts Traffic Ban
Heavy snow and a government order prohibiting large trucks from traveling have created challenging conditions for drivers in western France.
- A prefectural decree prohibits vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from traveling in the Sarthe department between 4 p.m. Monday, January 5, and 12 p.m. Tuesday.
- Exceptions are made for trucks transporting milk and animals.
- Drivers are seeking shelter at parking areas along the highways, anticipating delays until conditions improve.
- The snow began falling heavily in the late afternoon, shortening the workday for many truckers.
A hundred meters down the road, the signs for two restaurants offered a small comfort. This Monday evening, drivers stopping at the Le Mans North parking area faced limited dining options, but the prospect of a warm meal seemed more appealing than a cold ham sandwich.
Semi-trailers lined the parking area as drivers waited out the storm. Better to be here, in an area with toilets, rather than in the right lane of the highway,
said Christian, a driver with five years of experience. This afternoon, I went from Alençon to Argentan by road, it wasn’t very cool, especially since the truck wasn’t fully loaded. It’s better when there is weight on the rear axle.
“Tomorrow Morning, If Things Work Out”
The traffic ban, issued Monday, January 5, at 4 p.m., restricts vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes from traveling on the department’s highways and roads until noon on Tuesday. Milk and animal transport are exempt from the restrictions.
I saw the displays on the highway. I come from Le Havre and I have to deliver tomorrow morning to Allonnes. The authorities started to blockade in Orne, I saw a lot of trucks at the Alençon area. I’m going to spend the night here and leave in the morning, if things work out
explained Pierre, 33, who has been driving for 18 years.
Spending the night in their cabs is routine for many drivers, particularly when they are nearing their maximum allowable driving time—or “jus,” as it’s known in the trade. Exceeding those limits risks fines and costly penalties.
Frédéric, hauling an oversized load, also decided to stop due to the increasingly slippery roads. I am in an exceptional convoy and I am not allowed to take the A28. I will deliver to Le Havre. I’m not going to tempt the devil, but at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning, if it’s not too frozen, I’ll leave again. You have to go cool in these cases.
Designated parking areas for heavy goods vehicles have been set up along the highways: in the Erve Valley (A81, Rennes – Le Mans direction); near Saint-Denis-d’Orques (A81, opposite direction); at La Ferté-Bernard (A11, Paris – Le Mans direction); and a turnaround area in the Sarthe Touraine rest area (A28, Tours – Le Mans direction).
