The Land Transport Authority is reiterating
that road hauliers must comply with the law after 182 vehicles were booked for
overloading in the first quarter of 2016.
The Authority is disappointed to note
that cases of non-compliance keep popping up even though LTA, Fiji Roads
Authority and other stakeholders have been consistently creating awareness on
this issue over the past years.
A total of eleven (11) vehicles were booked for carrying an excess load of more
than 20 tonnes of which one truck was overloaded by 34 tonnes. Twenty-five (25)
vehicles were caught carrying an excess load of over 15 tonnes while another twenty-five
(25) trucks were booked for carrying an excess load of more than 10 tonnes.
Other vehicles were booked for carrying an excess
load of one (1) tonne up to ten (10) tonnes.
LTA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Naisa Tuinaceva said excess loading is causing
the deterioration of the road system and can also have an adverse effect on
road safety.
“The consequences of carrying excess load can be deadly as not only does it
reduce the lifespan
of roads and vehicles, but it also reduces
the effectiveness of brakes and suspension, resulting in a significant
impairment of the driver’s ability to brake and steer properly, which puts the
driver and other road users at risk,” said Mr. Tuinaceva.
“Excessive load has caused bridges to break in the past, and there is
also an increase in the number of overloaded vehicles involved in road
accidents and incidents.”
Mr. Tuinaceva added that overloaded vehicles are unstable especially at corners
and roundabouts and overtaking also takes longer, and this is quite risky for
road users. Excessive weight on the
road leads to fatigue cracking, rutting and can also cause structural damage.
LTA booked 155 overloaded vehicles in the Central Eastern region while 27
hauliers copped fines in the Northern region in the first quarter. Altogether,
the Authority inspected 459 vehicles in 15 different locations in both region.
Mr. Tuinaceva revealed overloading is costing the Fijian Government millions
of dollars annually on road maintenance which is separate from the construction
of new roads and other capital works.
“Around $50 million to $60 million is spent on our roads annually for extra maintenance
and renewal purposes – this is a huge and valuable amount that could be useful
elsewhere,” said Mr. Tuinaceva. “Therefore, we are reminding the road hauliers
to respect the laws of our country, help reduce damages to our roads and to
maintain road safety.”
Excess load is considered an offence under the LTA Act and the regulated
minimum fine is $1,000 per tonne. However, fines may increase depending on the
capacity of the vehicle and the load it is carrying.
The Authority will conduct excess load operations throughout the year.