The National Department of Transport supports campaigns against the overloading of vehicles because it is so dangerous. Let’s find out why.1
Overloading Damages Roads
Overloaded freight trucks destroy the road surface structure, with damage growing exponentially as the load increases. It costs large sums of money to repair damaged roads that have a shorter lifespan. Government must carry these costs and, ultimately, the taxpayer through increases in, for instance, vehicle license fees and fuel levies. 1
Overloading Is A Safety Hazard
Overloading causes many fatal road accidents in South Africa and puts the driver, passengers, and other motorists at notable risk. 1
Let’s highlight some of the dangers involved with overloading.
Overloading Affects The Car’s Stability
You may have seen a bakkie on the road carrying such a heavy load that the back suspension is very low to the ground, while raising the front wheels slightly off the ground. This makes steering the vehicle impossible. When a car owner exceeds the manufacturer’s load specifications, the car becomes unpredictable to drive. 1
Overloading Compromises The Vehicle’s Stopping Distance
An overloaded vehicle takes much longer to stop because of the extra weight it carries. Brakes are not designed to stop an overloaded car and can become ineffective through overheating. 1
Vehicle Tyres Cannot Endure Overloading
The tyres of an overloaded car start to overheat due to the extra friction. This, in turn, can destroy tyres because of blow-outs, which can be fatal when the driver loses control of the vehicle. 1
Acceleration Is Slow Due To Overloading
An overloaded vehicle cannot accelerate at the usual speed and so takes longer to overtake. Spending too much time in the oncoming lane puts the car and other motorists in danger. 1
Headlights Of An Overloaded Car Blind Oncoming Motorists
Overloading causes the front end of a car to lift upwards, which in turn raises the headlights at night. This makes it difficult for the driver to see where he is going but also blinds oncoming traffic. 1
Overloading Can Damage Vehicles
An illegal load can damage a car’s suspension, brakes, and shock absorbers, and will ultimately increase maintenance costs. 1
Insufficient Safety Belts
Not everyone will have access to a safety belt if too many passengers occupy a vehicle. This makes travel both illegal and unsafe. 1
Insurers May Reject Claims
Seeing overloading of vehicles is illegal, insurers may reject accident claims. 1
What Should Vehicle Owners Do?
It’s essential to know the permitted axle weight and gross vehicle weight. All buses and coaches display these permitted weights on the chassis or the engine bay. Companies should make use of weighbridges for determining the weights of their heavy transport vehicles. 1
Disclaimer
This article aims to indicate how to drive safely by not overloading vehicles. 1
Driving on the road is all about safety for you, your passengers, and other motorists. The law that prohibits overloading is there to protect all of us. Car insurance works the same way by protecting us financially in the event of an accident. Contact us at PMD and learn more about our affordable car insurance products. Allow us to share with you our world-class client service while you learn more about our product’s unique benefits, such as fixed premiums* and a reduce-to-zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
Before buying a financial services product, make sure your choice is correct by contacting a certified financial advisor for professional advice.
Source:
1https://www.arrivealive.mobi/overloading-and-road-safety
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
