The association "DocStop für Europäer e. V." (DocStop for Europeans) was founded in 2007 to support domestic and foreign truck drivers with uncomplicated medical care on the road. The main focus is on "minor" ailments such as toothaches, constant headaches or sudden back problems. The DocStop hotline 008000 DOCSTOP (008000 327867) provides callers with information on DocStop contact points in their vicinity. All DocStop partners are also available on the DocStop homepage at www.docstop.eu and in many smartphone apps for drivers. All contact points have a lorry parking space and a doctor in the immediate vicinity. Membership in DocStop is not required, the treatment costs are covered by the health insurance.
Another goal of the association is to improve the working and living conditions of truck drivers, for example through initiatives that support free access to sanitary facilities such as toilets and showers.
Voluntary commitment
All tasks, such as the establishment of the European DocStop network with contact points and doctors, are carried out by the members of the association and the board of directors on a voluntary basis. The contact points - rest and car stations, transport companies, loading points, commercial vehicle dealers and service companies - usually provide sick drivers with their parking spaces and, in some cases, sanitary facilities free of charge. The medical practices and clinics in the DocStop network also participate voluntarily. They all have a truck parking space nearby and are prepared to treat sick truck drivers promptly. The free, internationally standardised hotline at 008000 DOCSTOP (008000 3627867) is provided by Service 24.
On site with the drivers
In addition to setting up the network, informing the drivers is one of the most important tasks of the volunteer team of the association. Only drivers who know about the possibility of visiting a doctor on the road will make use of this option in case of illness and not continue their journey in pain or possibly take unsuitable medication. That is why the association is regularly represented at events and trade fairs with an information stand to provide truck drivers with information about medical care on the road, about the DocStop network, the DocStop hotline and how to easily find the nearest doctor. In addition, members of the association and volunteers visit car parks, rest stops and motorway stations to provide drivers with information there. In addition, the association regularly reports on its activities on its Facebook profile, on its website and in industry media, and is supported by numerous trade publishers.
Many supporters
The DocStop für Europäer e.V. association is mainly financed by donations. Numerous well-known companies from the transport and commercial vehicle industry as well as industry associations support DocStop with donations.
