With some weight limits, we question their importance. For example, carry-on luggage on aeroplanes… what difference does it make to “safety” if, instead of having a 7.5kg suitcase, we remove a heavy coat and wear it throughout the flight? That’s a pet hate of ours. Anyway, for other weight limits (ones of actual importance) we should strictly follow them. Truck weight limits are not like carry-on luggage limits: there are some serious consequences for not abiding by them. Let’s go through a few reasons why truck weight limits exist and who to talk to if you want your truck scales to be as accurate as possible.
Traffic safety
One important reason why truck weight limits exist is to maintain safety for everybody else on the road. The heavier a truck is, the longer it takes to come to a complete stop. Therefore, if a truck is overweight, it may not be able to come to a complete stop in a safe amount of time. What if the car in front of your truck had to slam on the brakes and your truck couldn’t safely stop? This could result in a horrible incident, impacting not only you but others on the road and their families too.
Driver safety
Not only do truck weight limits keep others safe on the road, but they also keep the driver safe too. Truck drivers are trained to handle emergency situations, especially if they need to come to an emergency stop due to brake failure, or if they need to quickly respond to an emergency situation caused by another vehicle on the road. These emergency manoeuvres become more difficult when a truck is overweight, putting the truck driver and other drivers on the road at severe risk. Sticking to truck weight limits will ensure the best possible scenario in the unlikely event of an emergency.
What happens if you’re over the weight limit?
If your truck is overweight, it’s not just the driver against whom charges could be brought. The HVNL’s chain of responsibility indicates that employers, operators, consignors, packers, loaders and loading managers could all be liable for an overweight truck. Mass overload offences can carry hefty fines. Monetary fines differ between the categories of Minor Risk, Substantial Risk and Severe Risk. The higher the risk, the bigger the fine.
How to avoid offences and penalties
All transport companies want to avoid dangerous situations and overloading fines that go with them. Consulting an onboard weighing solutions provider like Loadmass can ensure you never have to experience the headaches of committing a mass overload offence and receiving a fine because of it. They’ll fit your truck with the most accurate scales that you can rely on. This will not only guarantee that your truck meets the mass limits but will also improve the productivity of your transport operations. To get the most out of your trucks, get in touch with the team at Loadmass today.
