Dorset Traffic Unit reports vehicle weight-based offences

A Dorset Traffic Cops team operating out of Ashley Heath dished out nearly £1,000 worth of fines to driver’s whose vehicles were over the legal weight.

Firstly, a Mercedes Flatbed carrying a Toyota Rav 4 was found to be 15.1 per cent overweight on its rear wheels and 14.4 per cent overweight in total. The driver received a £300 fixed penalty.

Then a large Artic HGV carrying logs was 6.5 per cent overweight on its second axle and one per cent overweight overall which is the equivalent to 400kg. The driver received a £100 fixed penalty and was impounded for two hours waiting for the excess weight to be offloaded.

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A minibus taking a group on a trip out of county was stopped where it was found to be carrying 14.5 per cent more than it should. This overload is equivalent to just over half a ton. The driver received a £200 fixed penalty and the occupants were moved to a larger vehicle.

Vehicle weight offences found by Dorset Traffic officers. Picture: Dorset Traffic Cops

A spokesperson said: “In this case it was a combination of a capacity load of passengers plus a lot of additional equipment in a reasonably modest vehicle. All commercial vehicles, whether they transport loads or goods or people, should have regard to the overall weight of their loads.”

Lastly, a different Mercedes Flatbed carrying a BMW 5 series was 16.2 per cent overweight in total – again equivalent to more than half a ton. A £300 fixed penalty was given and the car was impounded until this excess is removed.

The spokesperson added: “These may seem small percentages but every one per cent over a vehicles design weights can have a significant impact on handling capability, particularly braking so it’s important to watch your vehicle weights for the good of everyone.”