Overloaded trucks a threat to commuters

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, October 19

Overloaded trucks have become a danger to commuters on roads. Drivers of such trucks just ignore the norms and load their vehicles above the permissible weight limits. Such trucks can be seen on roads, especially during the paddy harvesting season.

Owned by big transport companies, these vehicles carry goods in excess of their capacity, without any fear of law. As these overloaded vehicles are difficult to steer and take longer to stop, they pose a danger to the lives of commuters. As they cover most part of the road, they cause traffic snarls on congested roads and pose a threat of road accident.

The Transport Department and the traffic police just turn a blind eye to these vehicles due to the political connections of transporters.

The district administration has been ignoring overloaded trucks as these carry paddy from the procurement centres to rice mills.

Vehicles reacted differently when the load-carrying capacity is exceeded, said sources in the Transport Department. Overloaded vehicles cause the tyres to overheat and wear rapidly which increases the chance of premature, dangerous and expensive failure or blow-outs. The driver’s control and operating space in the overloaded vehicle is diminished, raising the chances of an accident.

The insurance benefits to the owner and the victim become null and void as overloading is illegal. The slightest of mistake can cause these overloaded trucks to flip onto their side and crush vehicles and pedestrians. Besides, they can damage electricity wires and snap the power supply.