In a Twitter post this week, CMPG announced that they had stopped an abnormal load on the M5. The load, which was found to be 62.5 tons, is 18% over the maximum limit for the vehicle. The axle was 10% over design weight.
The maximum permitted weight limit for this vehicle was 44 tons. The vehicle had no movement order as well.
This is a serious matter as it not only endangers the driver and other motorists, but also risks damaging the road. Overweight vehicles put strain on the roads and can cause potholes and other damage. This is a problem not only for the motorists who have to deal with them, but also for the companies who are responsible for maintaining the roads
Weighbridges are in place to prevent overloaded vehicles from causing this kind of damage, and it is alarming that this load was able to get onto the road without a movement order. It is unclear how long the load had been on the road or how far it had travelled before it was stopped
CMPG has advised drivers to be vigilant and to report any overweight loads that they see on the roads. They have also advised companies to make sure that their vehicles are within the weight limit and to get a movement order before transporting an abnormal load
This is a serious matter that could have had devastating consequences. It is fortunate that CMPG were able to stop the vehicle before any damage was done. This serves as a reminder to us all to be vigilant when we are driving, and to report any overweight loads that we see. We should also make sure that our vehicles are within the weight limit and that we have a movement order before transporting an abnormal load.
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