Stopping and rest point for truck drivers opens in Santa Catarina

Last week, April 18, Arteris, which manages highways in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Paraná, opened the first Stop and Rest Point (PPD) for truck drivers on the BR-101 and the entire state of Santa Catarina. According to the concessionaire, the structure was built at km 220 of the highway, in the city of Palhoça, under the management of Arteris Litoral Sul.

The event was attended by the Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, the National Secretary of Road Transport, Viviane Esse, the superintendent of Road Infrastructure at ANTT, Roger Pêgas and authorities from Santa Catarina, as well as Arteris leaders, such as the director president, Sergio Garcia, and superintendent director César Sass.

“By providing adequate areas for truck drivers to rest and rest, we promote safety on the highways and value these essential professionals for the national economy. This is a significant step towards improving working conditions and ensuring safer travel for everyone”, said minister Renan Filho.

According to Arteris, the investment was R$17.5 million. Furthermore, the stopping point is the result of a demand to guarantee more comfort and safety for the more than 10 thousand drivers of heavy vehicles who pass daily through the stretch that is part of the Mercosul Corridor, important for integration into international trade and, consequently, , for the development of the South region and the whole of Brazil.

National PPD Implementation Policy

On that occasion, the minister also signed an ordinance that establishes the National Policy for the Implementation of PPDs on federal highways. According to the measure, the intention is to guarantee adequate rest conditions for professional drivers. And, in this way, increase road safety and reduce the number of accidents.

The ordinance establishes the obligation to implement at least one PPD in current concession contracts, prioritizing its operation until 2025. Furthermore, the standard defines that all studies of highway concession projects must include at least one PPD. Expected to operate until the third year of the contract.

For highways managed by the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT), the possibility of implementing PPDs must be evaluated, considering criteria such as traffic demand and road safety. The priority is the country’s main logistics corridors.

“The delivery of the PPD allows truck drivers to complete their mandatory rest hours at no additional cost, thus ensuring better working conditions and contributing to safety on the roads”, says the CEO of Arteris, Sergio Garcia.

Rest required by law

The creation of locations that offer a complete service infrastructure for truck drivers, such as the PPD, are provided for by Law No. 13,103/15. It is popularly known as the “Truckers’ Law”. The law also deals with the exercise of the profession of professional driver transporting cargo and passengers with special focus on the regulation of working hours and driving time.

Until 2012, Brazil recorded around 4,000 driver deaths annually, many of them caused by fatigue during travel. This situation has led to the need to regulate driving time and working hours for professional drivers, with the aim of reducing the number of accidents. Later, laws were established that define limits on driving and rest time, highlighting the importance of stops.

According to the Federal Government, the existence of places on the side of the roads, which allow the vehicle to safely stop and allow the professional to rest necessary, known as Stopping and Rest Points (PPD), is essential for effective compliance with the Law .

Professionals with more security

Truck driver Márcio Ferreira, with 21 years on the road, says that he considers the inauguration of the Palhoça PPD a significant change in his work routine.

“Safety is the main thing. Sometimes we are robbed while resting at gas stations or on the side of the road. There was a lot of theft going on. Now, at this point, this is no longer a problem, right? It’s really safe. In addition, there are bathrooms for showering and rest areas. It’s going to be really good,” she said.

Márcio also mentions that in the Southeast, where he also travels frequently, there are many PPDs. He expresses his satisfaction in knowing that his professional colleagues in Santa Catarina will now have the same benefits.

Infrastructure

According to information from Arteris, the opened PPD has 39 thousand square meters and its facilities are divided between the south and north banks of BR-101/SC. Both are connected by a walkway and, together, offer 43 parking spaces. 15 for trucks and trailers up to 12 meters in length and 28 for vehicles up to 30 meters in length, including spaces with electrical points for refrigerated loads.

On the south track (towards Rio Grande do Sul/RS), the structure has a rest room, balcony, kitchen and men’s and women’s changing rooms with toilets and showers. In addition, there is space available for rent for outsourced service companies, such as a minimarket, laundry and pharmacy. On the north lane (towards Curitiba/PR), there is another building with sanitary facilities adapted for accessibility for People with Disabilities.

The interior of the buildings received materials that reduce noise and films that control the incidence of light in the windows, which promotes rest for users. Furthermore, all the lamps in the place have LED technology, which are more economical and durable. And, therefore, they are aligned with the company’s ESG Agenda strategies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.