Authorities detained lorries along the A60 highway close to Mainz.
In an incident that highlighting the dangers of overloading trucks, a construction truck was taken off the A60 near Mainz by the 'Commercial Goods and Passenger Traffic' control group of the Mainz Traffic Directorate on Wednesday morning.
The truck, licensed for 7.5 tons, was found to be over 12 tons, with an overload of approximately 70%. This was confirmed at a weighbridge, where it was discovered that instead of 7.49 tons, the truck weighed 12.58 tons.
The construction parts on the truck's open cargo bed were noticeably high, causing the vehicle to be slightly tilted to the right. This overload can significantly impair the driving and braking behavior of a vehicle, according to the police.
Both the driver and the construction company are expected to receive "substantial fines." The construction company was required to unload a large part of the cargo from the truck.
Overloading trucks beyond their licensed weight in Germany has significant consequences and safety implications. It leads to increased braking distances and unstable driving behavior, raising the risk of accidents. Overloaded trucks cause faster wear and tear on axles and tires, compromising vehicle integrity and road safety. In case of an accident involving an overloaded vehicle, insurance companies may refuse to cover damages, leaving drivers liable.
Legally, overloading results in fines and points on the driver's record in Flensburg; a 20% overload incurs at least one point, and continued enforcement may include travel bans in other countries. Additionally, overloaded vehicles impose excessive strain on infrastructure such as access roads and parking areas, possibly causing damage that leads to costly repairs and operational disruptions for site operators.
Vehicle scales are used as a preventative measure to ensure weight compliance, thereby enhancing safety and responsibility on roads and facilities like campsites. The Mainz Traffic Directorate issued a warning against dangerous overloading, emphasising the importance of adhering to weight limits to maintain road safety for all users.
In the aftermath of the incident on the A60 near Mainz, the automotive industry, particularly construction companies, should be aware of the implications of overloading trucks. Excessive weight like this can significantly impact the finance sector through substantial fines for non-compliance. More importantly, it impacts the transportation industry by causing longer braking distances, unstable driving behavior, and potential accidents, thereby endangering public safety. This highlights the industry's responsibility to maintain weight limits, ensuring not only the safety of their vehicles but also the safety of other road users and infrastructure.
