Truck drivers have blockaded roads to ports, ferries and a major bridge. But this protest in Denmark is not about fuel but about the new drives’ hours regulations. This must be the first time a truck blockade has been about European regulations rather than issues closer to home such as the price of fuel and fuel tax.
The Danish obviously feel strongly about it. Bocking the ferry points and the bridge between Denmark and Sweden as well as other ferry terminals, is a very serious move. The International Herald Tribune reports that scuffles broke out between the Danish and foreign drivers.
According to reports, the drivers are protesting about bureaucratic rules on maximum working periods and minimum rest periods. The protesters want the drivers’ hours rules relaxed because they claim the rules hit small operators unfairly and do not improve safety.
This is certainly an interesting development and maybe protests against European regulations might increase in future.
One flashpoint may be over the Working Time Directive covering the transport industry. The EU has to investigate next year the exemption given to owner-drivers from the Directive.
It is absurd that owner drivers should be exempt from safety rules. But expect big protests in southern Europe when the EU decides to include owner-drivers in the rules
It is also worth noting that it is report that scuffles broke out between Danish and foreign drivers. This may reflect tension between the two groups. That tension also exists here.

See also report from Swedish newspaper in English