The DVSA Enforcement tweets continue to shock and amuse in equal parts. On the roll of honour this quarter, we have seen some exceptional overloading, unsafe tyres, broken suspensions and large resulting fines.
On the M5 at Quinton, they had field day with a 3500kg flat bed; Overloaded on 2nd axle and GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight), dangerously insecure load, suspension anti-roll bar defects and the suspension main leaf spring broken away around the anchor bush. This resulted in the vehicle being prohibited from the road and recovered away from the site (once the load was safely secured!) and the driver reported. He will be issued with a summons and, we suspect, a large fine will be meted out.
In another case, a 3500kg Mercedes box van was stopped, and found to be 510kgs over the REAR axle design weight, and 1080kg over the GVW. In addition the tyres were defective (bald and showing cord). This vehicle was immediately removed from the road and the driver reported.
At SvTech, we take overloading issues very seriously. We are uprating hundreds of vehicles per month, and consistently see the same issue arising, namely rear axle overloads, leading to GVW transgressions and wheel/tyre safety issues.
Any overloading is bad, but the additional overload on tyre/wheel load ratings means that the vehicle is then deemed unsafe and unroadworthy and could lead to the driver’s conviction for Dangerous Driving. It is imperative that drivers carry out the walk-round check of their vehicle before setting off and ensuring that the vehicle is not overloaded. To do this they must weigh it when empty (with split axle weights) so that they know what they can carry. Ignorance isn’t an excuse when you’re stopped by the DVSA or Police. If your livelihood is dependent on your job, make sure your vehicle is safe.
