Weighing the cost of overloading
With prohibition notices on the increase, Colin Smith of weighing solutions specialist Avery Weigh-Tronix explores the issue of overloading and how to avoid it
Exceeding a vehicle’s maximum permissible weights is not only a danger to the driver and other road users; it is an illegal offence which carries with it a range of risks and penalties, from fixed fines to prison sentences.
For any business, maximising efficiency is key to reducing operating costs and improving profit margins. When transporting goods, the temptation to overload a vehicle in a bid to maximise payload and reduce overall fuel costs can be a costly mistake.
The latest figures published by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA – incorporating VOSA) serve as a warning to fleet operators that there is a greater risk of overloaded vehicles being detected on UK roads.
The prohibition rate in 2011/12 was 71 per cent – an increase on 69.5 per cent in 2010/11. In fact, a report published by DVSA in 2013 highlighted that 93 per cent of LGV vans were found to be overloaded.
DVSA has been investing in technology to pinpoint non-compliant vehicles much more precisely. The agency uses a combination of high-speed in-motion weighing, automatic number plate recognition and the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system to decide which vehicles should be inspected.
OCRS is a scoring system used to calculate the risk of an operator not following guidelines. Scores are based on data such as vehicle tests and inspections at premises, which have been collected by DVSA over a three-year rolling period.
By cross-referencing an operator’s OCRS with information captured when an overloaded vehicle is detected via an ANPR camera, specific operators can be targeted more effectively for roadside checks – one reason for the increase in prohibition rate.
If a fixed penalty notice is issued, the examiner will also prohibit the driving of the vehicle on a road. Not only does this take your vehicles off the road, but those found to be overloaded must reduce their load before being allowed to continue – a move which would require another vehicle to be dispatched to share the load.
During August 2013, the Department for Transport announced that fixed penalty notices for offences against roadworthiness, loading and drivers’ hours rules would result in higher penalties at the roadside.
Fixed penalty fines for overloading are set at £100 for a vehicle overloaded by less than 10 per cent, £200 for 10 to 14.99 per cent, and £300 for 15 per cent and over. Meanwhile, ‘serious overloading’ of 30 per cent or more, or of loads that may have a significant effect on road safety, may result in a court summons.
Whilst most offences are dealt with using a fixed penalty notice, overloading convictions can affect the decision of the traffic commissioner to suspend, revoke or renew both a driver’s and/or an operator’s licence. Drivers and operators alike should also be aware of the possibility of prosecutions for dangerous driving, health and safety offences and corporate manslaughter.
Aside from the risk of penalties, overloaded vehicles cost more to run since fuel consumption is significantly increased. Tyres are more prone to wear, steering becomes more difficult to control and vehicles take longer to react to braking. This can dramatically affect vehicle handling, increase daily wear and tear and increase the likelihood of a costly – and potentially fatal – accident.
The act of overloading a vehicle may also potentially invalidate any insurance cover – leaving you with a costly bill if the vehicle is involved in a crash.
In addition, overloaded goods vehicles damage our roads, bridges and underground services, producing a massive reduction in predicted road life expectancy and dramatically increasing maintenance costs.
Legislation relating to overloading – including the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Road Traffic Act and the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations – put the onus on both the driver of the vehicle and the operator. Furthermore, anyone else who “causes or permits” overloading is also committing an offence. The Road Traffic Act in particular highlights the fact that the driver can be prosecuted for dangerous driving – a conviction which carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail.
Avery’s advice for avoiding overloading
Know your vehicle’s weight limits: Drivers should refer to their vehicle’s identification plate, which is usually located in the cabin, under the bonnet or on the chassis. The plate usually shows a manufacturer and serial number, but also shows details of maximum permissible axle weight and maximum permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW).
Ensure even distribution of loads: The risks of overloading on gross vehicle weight are well-known, while the importance of axle weights is often overlooked. In some instances the gross vehicle weight is not exceeded, but the load may still exceed the maximum permissible axle weight. Uneven loading of a vehicle makes it far harder to handle, putting undue pressure on tyres, steering and braking.
Check vehicle/axle weight before setting out: It is important to remember that the GVW is the weight of the vehicle plus overall load; taking into account weight of goods, driver, passengers and fuel, for example. Treat weight declarations on invoices and delivery notes with some caution, they may be ‘guesstimates’ only. The only way to ensure that the vehicle’s maximum permissible weights are not exceeded is to weigh it – either using a weighbridge or an axle weigher.
Portable, static axle weighers provide a solution for spot checking, while dynamic fixed or portable solutions can weigh in motion, speeding up the process and providing a solution for those with larger and mixed fleets.
Familiarisation: If you haven’t already, familiarise yourself with your obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Road Traffic Act, the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations and the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations. All of these documents are available online or by contacting Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO).
Business owners, transport managers and drivers all need to be aware of the risks of overloading and the penalties that can result. The potential cost of having an operator licence revoked is far greater than any relatively minimal savings that might be made by avoiding weighing a vehicle.
Investment in vehicle weighing technology, such as Weigh In Motion axle weighing equipment, makes sound financial sense as well as being important for protecting drivers and other road users.
More information on axle weighing solutions, and customer case studies, can be found at the Avery Weigh-Tronix website. The company can also provide information and advice, including on whether operators would qualify for a no-obligation audit of their vehicle weighing requirements.
