DVSA officers have taken action after stopping a vehicle that appeared to be carrying too much weight.
A closer roadside inspection confirmed the suspicion: the vehicle was overloaded by 18%. Officers also discovered it had been fitted with additional air suspension designed to adjust the ride height – an attempt to stop the vehicle from looking heavy.
To compound matters, the parking brake was defective, allowing the stationary vehicle to roll even when fully applied. The driver and vehicle were dealt with accordingly.
The intervention highlights how visual cues still play a crucial role in roadside enforcement. In this case, officers noted the tell-tale signs of excess weight despite the suspension modification intended to disguise it.
What’s more, the discovery of a faulty parking brake alongside the overload significantly increased the overall risk profile of the journey.
Why overloading is dangerous
Driving an overloaded vehicle is not a minor miscalculation – it fundamentally compromises safety.
Extra weight lengthens stopping distances, strains tyres and brakes, and destabilises steering, making it harder to control the vehicle in emergency manoeuvres. Components can overheat or fail under loads they were never designed to bear.
When a defective parking brake is added to the mix, the hazards escalate further: a vehicle can roll unexpectedly at the roadside, at delivery points or on inclines, endangering drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
Regulations and maintenance: non-negotiable
Road safety regulations exist to protect everyone, and compliance is a legal and moral duty for drivers and operators alike.
Vehicles must remain within their permitted weight limits, and any modifications – such as additional suspension systems – must never be used to mask non-compliance. Routine checks and proper maintenance are equally essential.
Braking systems, in particular, must be kept in full working order; a faulty parking brake is a clear red flag that should be identified and rectified before a vehicle is allowed onto the road.
Conclusion
This DVSA stop is a clear reminder that cutting corners on load compliance and maintenance is not only unlawful but dangerous. An 18% overload, concealed by additional air suspension, coupled with a defective parking brake, created an entirely avoidable risk to the public.
Adhering to weight limits, ensuring all safety systems function correctly, and maintaining vehicles to the proper standard are non-negotiable foundations of safe, responsible transport.
News Credits: X :@DVSAEnforcement
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