Findings from the DEKRA Road Safety Report 2026
Parking madness for long-distance truckers
Sep 04, 2026- DEKRA survey confirms glaring issues surrounding truck traffic
- Many drivers spend up to an hour or more looking for a parking spot
- Clean restroom facilities and greater safety are also on the wish list
Searching for parking spaces, dangerous evasive maneuvers, and rising crime – all of this is taking a toll on professional drivers. This is the finding of a survey conducted for the DEKRA Road Safety Report 2026, “Working in Road Traffic”, involving approximately 100 professional drivers from various countries. Furthermore, many drivers do not feel safe at rest stops. There is also a great deal of frustration when it comes to facilities. “More than half of the participants have been working in the trucking industry for over ten years, which makes their assessments quite reliable”, emphasizes DEKRA accident researcher Luis Ancona.
Being able to schedule your knocking-off time as a professional driver? Not a chance! For many, when their driving time ends, the next source of stress begins: Where can I park my vehicle safely? As the DEKRA survey shows, the search for a suitable parking spot can take a long time. On average, 43% of respondents need 30 to 60 minutes, and another 24% search for even longer than an hour. The situation becomes particularly dire between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Among those surveyed, Germany is considered the country where it’s hardest to find an available truck parking spot – not only because there are too few, but also because cars and other vehicles block the spaces that are intended for large vehicles. The dilemma: Drivers who can’t find a parking space still can’t simply ignore the mandated rest periods. At the same time, the search for a parking space can extend driving time.
“Due to a lack of parking spaces, trucks are then parked on on- and off-ramps or in the shoulder – and thus become a hazard themselves”, notes accident researcher Ancona. According to the survey, nearly two-thirds of drivers have had to park in such dangerous locations on multiple occasions. More than half regularly drive over 20 kilometers (~12.5 miles) out of their way just to find a spot at all.
Inadequate surveillance and excessive costs
Many of the respondents also rate the security situation as inadequate. 60% see the lack of video surveillance as the greatest risk, followed by poor lighting. One-third feel unsafe because of the absence of police or security services. About half deliberately avoid certain rest stop areas – particularly due to incidents such as vehicle break-ins, cargo theft, vandalism, or physical assaults. One driver, for example, reported six assaults within three years. In France, armed groups are said to have attacked truck drivers. In the Benelux countries, people repeatedly try to jump onto moving trucks. In remote parking areas, slashed fuel tanks and pried-open fuel caps are, according to the respondents, not uncommon.
But the stress doesn’t end with crime. Many drivers mention the “typical ammonia smell” at rest stops, which literally takes their breath away. The cost structure is also a source of discontent. Many consider ten euros for a shower to be a rip-off, as they do parking fees of up to 25 euros per night. While parking is often free in Spain, German rest stops frequently tie fees to a minimum purchase requirement – a model that many find unfair. Respondents clearly expressed a desire for fitness rooms, clean restroom facilities, and more opportunities for relaxation.
Digital tools are playing an increasingly important role in finding parking spaces. About two-thirds of those surveyed use apps to help them. Opinions are divided on the willingness to pay for guaranteed parking spots: While 22% would be willing to pay up to five euros, 20% reject any charges. One-third base their decision on the location.
Respondents want a holistically improved work environment
“Overall, both the survey and the accompanying interviews clearly show that professional drivers want a holistically improved work environment”, concludes the DEKRA accident researcher. Many of the respondents see a need for discussion regarding working conditions: They want more social respect, better pay, and a clear division of tasks between drivers and customers – especially when it comes to loading and unloading.
Further background on this topic, as well as on many other aspects related to “Working in Road Traffic”, can be found in the DEKRA Road Safety Report 2026. It is available online at www.dekra-roadsafety.com.