Clearly the problem of overloaded vehicles is a significant one effecting safety, fair trade and highway maintenance. The harmonisation of lorry weight regulations in 1999 may improve the situation as the regulations should be easier for drivers to understand. On the other hand, with the opening up of the single European market and with the increased level of competition that will bring there may well be an increase in operators who are prepared to gain commercial advantage through the illegal overloading of their vehicles. (A)
Abstract