Text: Juliane Gringer
Photos: Andrea Möller, Uwe Hesebeck
Truck drivers from across Germany meet at the regular long-distance drivers' meetings held by the police to discuss ideas and find out what is new. Chief police commissioner Andrea Möller is on the ball in Winsen (Luhe) - she is committed to gaining more appreciation for vehicle drivers and better working conditions.
On the first Wednesday of every month, truckers from across Germany meet together at the Ostetal Süd motorway service area on the A1: attending a police invitation to a regular long-distance drivers’ meeting. But there are no beer glasses raised on this evening. Instead, they share information about issues on the roads: Loading safety, hazardous goods, social regulations – a first aid course was even held recently, in cooperation with the DocStop union. The events here in Winsen an der Luhe are organised by Head Police Commissioner Andrea Möller. “We speak to our guests about the things that are affecting them, provide input and answer their questions,” she explains. “The event takes place during their rest time. If it wasn’t worth it, they would just go to sleep.”
Working together and learning from one another
Most Truck drivers are more sceptical towards the police. “If we stop trucks during road checks, we generally always find something. So of course that is unpleasant,” explains Andrea Möller. “But we do see ourselves as partners. We want to show the drivers that we understand the challenges they face and that we want to work together with them, constructively. They also have a chance to tell us what bothers them about us.” The long-distance drivers’ regular meeting is the perfect opportunity for this. Truck driver Ralf Kramer Just, who attends regularly, agrees. “I learn things here, I can ask the police questions or for their advice. I also meet colleagues and we can share experiences in a social environment. We complain about all the things that annoy us and laugh together about the things we have to do as drivers.”

It’s very informal
Meeting dates are published on four channels
The truckers mainly learn about the locations and meeting times via an e-mail distribution list, websites about transport prevention, word of mouth or social media. Andrea Möller is also networked with the Pro Fahrer-Image e.V. union, which campaigns for more appreciation for professional drivers. She also operates a Facebook account, in which she convenes meetings all across Germany. . “Many plan their journeys in a way that lets them spend their break at the motorway service area,” says Möller. “We also have regulars here who work in Hamburg through the day and then carpool to us as a group.” Or if somebody just happens to be taking a break, Andrea Möller asks them whether they want to just join in. “After ten minutes maximum, they are on board.”
Plenty of time to share ideas
Training, socialising and appreciation

“I think trucks are just great!”
Talking with one another – instead of about one another
The format for the regular truck drivers’ meetings is about 20 years old. Chief police commissioner Rainer Bernickel from North Rhine-Westphalia came up with the idea in 2002 and offered the first meeting on the A1 at the Münsterland Ost motorway service area. Many police stations have followed his example since then and established further locations across all of Germany. “The idea behind the project was and still is to talk to the truck drivers: talking with them instead of about them,” explains Andrea Möller. “The drivers are grateful if we as police listen to them. We also know what’s going on on the roads and we meet here on an equal footing.”