Tougher penalties and lower toll fees can curb truck overloading

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT LI XIAOPENG recently said that overloaded trucks pose a serious danger to road safety and he advised revising the Criminal Law so that the overloading of trucks is included in the crime of dangerous driving and those driving overloaded trucks face criminal penalties. Beijing Times commented:

Many drivers might have the bad experience of seeing an overloaded truck on the road. They pose a danger to the safety of all, as being overloaded means they need a longer distance to brake in case of emergencies and their weight might even threaten the integrity of bridges.

Data show that more than 50 percent of all road accidents are caused by the overloading of trucks. That's why almost all driving schools teach new drivers to stay away from overloaded trucks as if they were moving bombs.