Gendarmerie Nationale intensifies penalties for overloaded trucks

The National Gendarmerie has begun enforcing strict measures against truck drivers exceeding authorized weight limits, aiming to curb the deterioration of road infrastructure, particularly on the East-West Highway. Sanctions for offenders include prison sentences of up to 10 years, fines ranging from 500,000 to 1 million Algerian dinars, and the revocation of driving licenses. Road safety units are now equipped with portable electronic scales to conduct immediate weight checks on vehicle axles. These actions follow technical reports identifying overloading as a primary cause of asphalt damage, which imposes significant maintenance costs on the state. Alongside these measures, a national awareness campaign dubbed "Respect the legal weight, protect yourself and others" has been launched to highlight how exceeding weight limits negatively impacts vehicle braking, stability, and road safety.