Italian truckers began a five-day strike on Monday tying up motorways and major thoroughfares up and down the peninsula.
The action prompted the authority for strike regulation to issue a warning that the truckers will face sanctions if their actions violate road laws.
According to the authority, road blocks or similar actions to disrupt traffic must not violate a citizen's right to circulate freely.
The strike was called to protest against high fuel and operating costs, as well as unfair competition by unauthorized truckers.
Unions representing the truckers will meet with Transport Minister Alessandro Bianchi on Tuesday but they said the meeting was arranged too late and did not offer sufficient guarantees to call off the strike.
Bianchi replied that the meeting was not called to avert the strike ''but if there is a sign of responsibility on the part of the unions it will be welcome''.
Aside from blocking freight deliveries, the strike is expected to disrupt fuel distribution and stop supplies reaching Italy's islands.
