Let's understand the risks of driving overloaded trucks 23^rd February 2021

India's vast network of national highways is usually busy with trucks carrying hefty cargo across the states. Transportation of heavy-duty materials and goods is majorly carried out by trucks. Their labour happens to be an essential work that contributes to the entire country's economy and aids multiple industries in flourishing and growing.

As essential as the transportation of the loaded cargo is, it can be a complex process to manage. Hauling loaded shipments for kilometers at a stretch is a strenuous activity and can become dangerous. Due to their massive size and load, several rules and regulations are levied upon the lorries. There are standard weight limitations to be followed to avoid any road accidents. All shipment companies and truck drivers must follow these safety provisions.

What are the basic truck requirements to keep in mind?

1. The weight of the load or cargo must be evenly positioned in the vehicle. Distributing the weight evenly throughout the truck ensures that its balance is maintained while driving. It also guarantees that no part of the truck is heavier than the rest so that it drives safely across the distance.

2. The cargo must be positioned and secured firmly in its place. If any items of the shipment move with the truck's movement along the road, it can cause the lorry to tip over or fall while making a turn. This can cause major road accidents and distract the driver from driving.

3. The regulatory bodies imply a standard weight limitation depending on the truck's size. The driver must ensure that these weight limitations and norms are adhered to before setting off on their journey. Not only can they be heavily fined for disregarding these rules, but they can also cause significant weight displacement of the vehicle, leading to severe accidents.

What are the risks of overloading the trucks?

1. The mechanical components of the truck are proportional to its smooth functioning. The weight limits are placed to protect the vehicle's mechanical parts from the damage caused by overloading. Parts like the suspension and engine can be easily damaged.

2. Heavy loads cause high amounts of pressure on the vehicle's braking system. The driver is forced to push harder on the brakes to stop sooner, impairing the system. Extreme pressure on the brakes can significantly increase the possibilities of brake failure.

3. Like the truck's mechanical parts, tyres can also deteriorate due to truck overloading. It causes a significant chance of them blowing out. A tyre blowout can cause the cargo to shift, displace its weight and lead to accidents. If the driver is unable to steer the truck to safely move out of the road, it may cause a major road collision and pose a threat to other vehicles on the road.

Understanding the risks of overloading trucks is essential to securing yourself, people, and vehicles. Following the safety protocols and driving with alertness and lesser (permissible) load is key to avoiding landing into unwanted mishaps. Investing in a motor insurance scheme can ensure your truck's safety at all times and get you compensated in case of damages. A good motor insurance can help you secure your finances and make your journeys stress-free.

Click HERE to buy motor insurance to safeguard your truck.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.