Automated weight control will check overloading on the move
France is testing an automatic weight control system. The new system takes measurements automatically without informing the driver. Tests show that, in most cases, the driver does not even notice when the axle load has been measured.
Although the new weight control system is not yet in use, it has already been the subject of criticism from hauliers. They fear that the automated solution will lead to fines and, as a result, severe losses. The fact is that drivers will not even know when the check has taken place and will not be able to react in time.
The plan is to use special equipment to check truck axle loads automatically. They are integrated into the road surface, allowing the load to move without stopping. At the same time, the transport company and the driver will only know about the overloading when they receive an official document from the relevant institution. With the introduction of the system, there are plans for an increase in fines for overloads.
Changes in the law on overloading
Since the summer of 2023, an updated law has been in force, according to which all responsibility for exceeding the axle load of a vehicle lies primarily with the carrier and not with the driver. The document also specifies the amount of the fine – 1.5 thousand euros.
There is also a clause in the law that reserves the right of the transport company to refute the imposition of a fine. If the company provides the necessary evidence, the fine can be cancelled or transferred to the consignee or sender of the goods. It is, therefore, up to the haulier to prove that the overload was the customer’s fault.
The issue of overloading in other countries
It is important to note that axle load overloading is a fairly common offence in many countries. Enforcement authorities use various methods to reduce the number of cases, including stricter inspections or higher fines.
However, these methods are not always effective. A striking example is a record-breaking lorry from Poland. It weighed more than 108 tonnes, and its axle load exceeded the permitted weight. The driver had a permit for a vehicle weighing no more than 60 tonnes. The truck should have had a pilot car accompanying him, but that was not the case. As a result, the transport company is facing administrative proceedings.
Notably, there are other cases of non-compliance with the rules and regulations for heavy goods vehicles. The Polish road authorities also record other offences, including:
- failure to comply with work and rest regulations;
- lack of permits to transport oversized loads;
- overloading of minibuses.
Drivers and carriers will face fines in all cases identified.
