A large transport company in Denmark facilitated violations of rest period regulations for 20 foreign drivers from Romania and Poland. The drivers were found sleeping in their trucks during mandatory weekly rest periods at the company's facility in Erritsø near Fredericia.
Ancotrans A/S has agreed to pay a fine of 400,000 Danish kroner in the case. The company confirmed this decision in an email statement to news media.
Police discovered the violations during a September inspection. Officers observed multiple drivers overnighting in their trucks at the company's secured parking lot on Glarmestervej in Erritsø. The parking area featured access control with coded entry, and authorities determined the company contributed to the violations by providing asphalt surfaces for trucks in a closed-off area.
European Union regulations require truck drivers to take their weekly 45-hour rest periods in proper sleeping facilities, not inside their vehicles. This ensures driver safety and prevents exploitation of foreign workers who might otherwise be pressured to remain in their trucks during mandatory breaks.
The transport sector across Scandinavia has faced increasing scrutiny regarding working conditions for foreign drivers. Many come from Eastern European countries and face pressure to accept substandard conditions. This case represents a growing trend where authorities are holding companies accountable for facilitating regulatory violations.
Ancotrans initially denied wrongdoing when police filed charges in October. The court had scheduled six days for a comprehensive case this spring, including testimony from drivers and transport managers. The company has now reversed its position and admitted responsibility.
Operations director Mogens Røigaard expressed regret in a company statement. "We apologize and take this matter seriously. We never intended for our parking facility to be used for anything beyond parking, short breaks, and toilet visits," he said.
The company has implemented new measures to prevent future violations. "An external security guard will enforce that no drivers remain on our trailer parking area on Sundays," Røigaard stated. "This makes taking extended rest periods at our facilities practically impossible.
Prosecutors note that charges for facilitating regulatory violations remain relatively uncommon in the transport sector. Special prosecutor Pernille Moesborg of Southeast Jutland Police confirmed the unusual nature of the case.
The 3F Transport union welcomed the enforcement action. Chairman Flemming Overgaard emphasized the importance of holding all parties accountable. "It's very interesting and positive that authorities are applying the statutes on contributory responsibility," he said. "All links in the chain must be held responsible when systematic rule violations occur.
Union officials support strict enforcement through controls and fines. Rest period rules protect both driver working conditions and road safety, while also making it harder to exploit foreign drivers through unfair practices.
During the September inspection, police issued numerous fines totaling 960,000 kroner to drivers and their transport companies. The coordinated action involved officers from the specialized Heavy Vehicle Center South unit.
Ancotrans operates internationally with particular focus on container transport. The company reported annual revenue of approximately one billion kroner last year. Company officials maintain they have agreements with subcontractors ensuring regulatory compliance, even where they lack direct management authority.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in the Nordic transport industry, where competitive pressures sometimes lead companies to cut corners on worker protections. The substantial fine signals authorities are taking a harder line on companies that enable regulatory violations, particularly those affecting vulnerable foreign workers.