The European Commission today adopted new EU standards and procedures to support the development of a network of safe and secure parking areas throughout the EU. The initiative is intended to improve resting conditions for drivers, and to protect them from violence and cargo crime. European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean, said: "Our road network lacks sufficient safe and secure parking areas. Today we take concrete steps to ensure that professional drivers in the EU can work and rest in good conditions alongside European roads. The standards we adopt today will, in addition to ensuring drivers have access to all necessary facilities, also enable operators to select the level of security they need for their cargo. They complement our proposal to revise the Trans-European Transport Network, in which we require Member States to ensure safe and secure parking areas along the TEN-T network, a maximum of 100km apart. The importance of professional drivers for society cannot be overstated. It is essential that we offer them decent and safe working conditions." (....)