Zimbabwe is taking steps to protect its newly constructed roads from damage caused by overloaded trucks, and the government has announced plans to install weighbridges along major highways to enforce weight limits and prevent overloading.
According to Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary Engineer J.P Makumbe, while addressing the media during a tour on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road rehabilitation project assessment, she highlighted that the government has already procured materials for the weighbridges and is engaging private players to construct and operate.
“A few weeks ago, Transport Minister Hon Mhona launched operational vehicles and equipment including weighbridges.
“The move is aimed at reducing the country’s road maintenance costs, which have been soaring due to the heavy traffic of overloaded trucks,” said Engineer Makumbe.
Two weeks ago the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Hon Felix Tapiwa Mhona commissioned VID Inspectorate operational vehicles, weighbridges, toll trucks and also witnessed the handover of breathalyzers to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.
The implementation of weighbridges is expected to not only protect road infrastructure but also improve road safety.
Speaking to Mrs Eustina Nyathi the Deputy Director VID also highlighted how the VID will be collaborating with other stakeholders such as police and road users to ensure road safety and weighbridge operations.
“We are going to have what we call weighing in motion, whereby the vehicles are going to be screened according to loads.
“Those that are overloaded will be filtered into the weighbridge, and they will be weighed, delayed and detained for compliance, they have to offload to continue their journey for the preservation of these new roads,” she said.
She further explained on the implementation of these weighbridges.
“There is going to be toll plazas where there is the combination of a toll gate and the weighbridge such that vehicles do not get to be stopped twice.
“We are also working together with police, ZBC and also ZINARA, the intelligent vehicle will detect any traffic offences on the vehicles on the road,” said Mrs Nyathi.
Overloaded trucks are becoming one of the major causes of accidents on Zimbabwe’s roads, and enforcing weight limits will help reduce the risk of such incidents.
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Story by Chiedza Nyabadza
