Livingston Road Patrolling Unit spotted a vehicle on the M8 near J3 and took it to a weighbridge. The vehicle had an expired MOT dated 22/06/22, and its load was not secured. To their shock, they discovered that the vehicle’s rear axle was 34.2% overweight, and its gross weight was 36% overweight! As a result of this incident, a 63-year-old male has been reported to Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) for investigation.
It is extremely dangerous for vehicles to be overloaded – both for the driver and other drivers on the road. An overloaded vehicle puts immense strain on its wheels and brakes, meaning it can take longer to come to a stop in an emergency situation. It is also more difficult to control over long distances or when cornering at speed, increasing the risk of an accident occurring. The extra weight also wears down tires faster and increases fuel consumption too.
LivingstonRP should be commended for their swift action in catching this overweight vehicle before any harm could come from it. Let’s hope similar incidents are prevented from happening in future!
News Credits: Twitter@ Road Policing Scotland
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