Truck drivers to take legal actions against Moroccan Highway Authority over rising attacks

A growing number of international truck drivers and their employers are preparing to file lawsuits against the National Highway Company of Morocco, sources told Hespress.

The drivers allege they have been repeatedly attacked while resting at service stations along the highway connecting Agadir and Tangier.

The Moroccan Association for Transcontinental Road Transport (AMTRI) recently sent a formal letter to the highway company, demanding increased security measures to protect trucks from what it describes as “ferocious and criminal attacks” on highways and at rest stops.

The association reported that two drivers were assaulted with bladed weapons within a week, suffering serious injuries to their faces and hands.

These attacks have raised concerns among industry professionals, who say organized criminal groups and migrants are targeting truckers. Due to strict driving regulations, truck drivers are required to stop frequently at rest stations, many of which lack adequate security.

“Every day, our members and professionals are reporting assaults on drivers and trucks on the highway,” said Amer Azghino, president of AMTRI.

Azghino emphasized that ensuring the safety of highway users is the responsibility of the highway company.

“Truck drivers must take frequent breaks at rest stops, but the lack of security at these locations makes them vulnerable to attacks and theft,” he said.

Azghino also noted that many trucks suffer significant losses due to assaults or attempts by migrants to break into vehicles.

The association has called on the National Highway Company to implement comprehensive security measures to combat these criminal activities. Failure to address the issue, they warn, could have serious consequences for the transportation industry.

The attacks have not only resulted in physical injuries and financial losses but have also created a climate of fear among truck drivers.

The escalating violence is driving up costs for the transportation sector, with truckers bearing the expenses of repairs, stolen goods, and additional inspections when migrants attempt to hide in their vehicles. Azghino estimated that a single incident can cost a trucking company up to MAD 15,000.