By Tommy Reid
Account Executive
BHIB Insurance Brokers
Owners or managers of transport companies are committed to ensuring timely and efficient shipments. Whether your business involves managing large fleets, or if you manage a single vehicle for transporting goods, your performance hinges on your drivers’ ability to make reliable and timely deliveries. As I’m sure you can appreciate, in the rush to make deliveries employers and drivers may be influenced to overload their vehicles.
Overloading is definitely not worth it?the risks far outweigh the benefits. Drivers risk damaging cargo and the vehicle, and expose themselves and the business to fines and prosecution. Failure as a business to put steps in place to manage the issue may make you liable for any injuries or death caused by overloading.
The consequences of overloading
Overloading can endanger your business, and other people. Some examples of consequences from overloading a vehicle include the following:
* Strain on the vehicle’s tyres and brakes
* Insurance cover may be void
* Increase in vehicle fuel consumption
Preventing the overloading of a vehicle
Preventing vehicle overloading in your transport business requires business cooperation therefore communication with your employees is vital.
Steps which may help your business avoid overloading vehicles could include: –
* Find your vehicle’s maximum permitted axle weight and gross vehicle weight (GVW).
* Understand the difference between the GVW and the gross train weight (GTW).
* Redistribute the load appropriately after a drop-off to avoid overloading the axles.
To learn more about how proactive fleet management can help your business, contact Tommy Reid at BHIB Insurance Brokers on 0330 024 06 06 or email
BHIB Insurance Brokers is a trading name of BHIB Limited. Registered office is AGM House, 3 Barton Close, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester LE19 1SJ. BHIB Limited is registered in England and Wales number: 829660 Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority