Heavy Goods Vehicles: Stricter Controls and Penalties for Overloading

The National Gendarmerie has reinforced its monitoring of heavy goods vehicles across national roads and the East-West Highway to curb the issue of overloading. These measures are designed to preserve road infrastructure and reduce traffic accidents. To support this initiative, field units are now equipped with portable weighing systems, enabling immediate on-site checks in addition to existing permanent weigh stations. Technical assessments have highlighted that excess weight, often compounded by heavy braking, significantly damages asphalt layers, leading to massive maintenance costs for the public treasury. Under the road traffic law 26-09, severe penalties—including up to 10 years of imprisonment and heavy fines—can be imposed if such violations result in traffic accidents. Alongside enforcement, the authorities have launched a nationwide awareness campaign to encourage truck drivers to comply with legal weight limits, emphasizing safety for all road users.