After storm Dave, more than 2 million m³ of fallen timber remains in Swedish forests. To speed up its removal, the Swedish Transport Agency, Transportstyrelsen, is introducing temporary exemptions from driving-time and rest-period rules for hauliers transporting round timber.

The Swedish Transport Agency, Transportstyrelsen, is today introducing temporary exemptions from the rules on driving time and rest periods for round timber transport. The decision is intended to help deal with the aftermath of storm Dave, which caused extensive damage to forests in southern Sweden in early April. The exemptions will apply from 15 June to 15 July 2026.

Storm Dave passed through part of the country on 5 April, causing significant damage to forest stands. According to estimates by the Swedish Forest Agency, the storm brought down more than 2 million m³ of timber. Due to the need to quickly remove the damaged raw material, the authorities decided to temporarily ease some requirements concerning drivers’ working time. Under the new rules, drivers transporting timber will be allowed to drive for a maximum of 10 hours per day instead of the standard 9 hours. The total driving time over two consecutive weeks will be increased from 90 to 112 hours. At the same time, weekly working time must not exceed 60 hours.

In addition, hauliers using the exemptions will not be required to compensate for reduced weekly rest, which is normally required under the applicable regulations. All other rules concerning working time and rest periods remain unchanged. The exemptions will apply only to commercial transport of round timber from forests damaged by storm Dave, carried out in the regions of Halland, Jönköping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Västra Götaland and Östergötland.

Source: trafficban.com