Vehicles carrying heavy cargo must use straps

Transport PNG

OFFICER In charge of 4-Mile Traffic, Inspector Philip Koliadi said trucks carrying heavy loads should have a heavy duty strap to secure the load.
“Before moving the load from one location to the other, the loads must always be fastened properly, despite the distance whether the load will travel far or near, it must always be fastened,”
He said insecure loads has a chance of sliding or falling off from the truck when approaching roundabout and hill which can cause injuries and deaths to pedestrians and other motorists.
“For example, the recent accident at the 6-Mile roundabout where a young man was killed when the weight of the load force the load to fell.”
He said trucks and long vehicles carrying heavy loads beyond 1.2 metres (4 feet long) must at all times display a red cloth at the back and sides to show other motorists to keep a distance and be cautious.
“It is not right to use shopping plastics and card boxes as these materials has a change of falling off while the vehicle is moving,”
“It is a traffic offence and a Traffic Infringement Notice is issued including a spot fine of K40,” he said.
He said motorists should not practise overloading of cargoes because loads has the potential to cause an accident, given the fact that they are heavy.
He said road safety was very important and it prohibits people to practise overloading of passenger and cargoes.
“Sitting on top of loads and standing at the door of Public Motor Vehicles is a risky behaviour that people practise and it is time to stop and think,” he said.
He said overloading of passenger and cargo is an offence and with the new Road Traffic Authority Act the fees and fines would increase and urged all motorist to take into consideration and follow traffic laws.