Commercial cargo vehicles are an important component of the modern transportation industry, widely used for transporting goods across various sectors. However, overloading frequently occurs during transportation, especially when transportation demand is high and time is limited, leading drivers or transportation companies to disregard load limits. Overloading of commercial cargo vehicles is not simply a matter of "carrying more goods," but a fundamental breach of the vehicle's design load limits. This article will analyze in detail the risks and consequences of overloading commercial cargo vehicles from the perspective of safe driving, helping industry personnel better understand and prevent overloading risks and ensure transportation safety.
Overloading refers to the situation where the weight of goods carried by a commercial vehicle exceeds the vehicle's specified maximum load limit during transportation. This phenomenon can be caused by several factors, such as:
1.1 Cost pressure
Transportation companies may disregard load standards to improve efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
1.2 Time constraints
To deliver goods on time, drivers may overload to reduce the number of trips.
1.3 Management loopholes
Lack of strict vehicle inspection and management leads to overloading.
2.1 Decreased Vehicle Performance
Commercial cargo vehicles are designed and manufactured with a fixed maximum load standard. Overloading can lead to the following performance problems:
Braking system failure: Overloading prevents the braking system from effectively slowing down or stopping the vehicle in a short time, increasing braking distance and thus increasing the risk of accidents. Vehicles equipped with ABS can reduce accident rates by 13% (28% on icy and snowy roads), but overloading can still render ABS ineffective. At an initial speed of 30 km/h, every additional ton of load increases the braking distance by 0.5–1.0 meters.
Suspension system damage: The vehicle's suspension system is designed according to the maximum load standard. Overloading can cause excessive wear or damage to the suspension system, affecting the vehicle's stability and comfort. Overloading causes the vehicle's center of gravity to shift forward, increasing the load on the front axle and decreasing the adhesion of the rear axle, resulting in an imbalance in braking force distribution during braking.
Increased tire wear: When overloaded, the pressure on the tires increases significantly, leading to increased tire wear and even tire blowouts. Overloading causes the tire pressure to exceed the design limit (normally 5–7 bar), leading to failure of the valve seal and subsequent leakage in one tire, which then causes the other tire in a dual-tire system to operate under excessive load.
2.2 Increased Accident Risk
Overloaded vehicles are prone to loss of control, especially in adverse weather or complex road conditions. Specific risks include:
Increased risk of rollovers: Due to a higher or unbalanced center of gravity, vehicles are more likely to roll over. The damage caused by overloaded vehicles to roads and bridges is proportional to the fourth power of the load (i.e., doubling the load increases road damage 16 times).
Stalling or brake failure: During sudden braking, overloading can prevent the vehicle from stopping in time, leading to rear-end collisions and other traffic accidents. According to engineering calculations, a six-axle truck overloaded by 100% causes damage to asphalt roads equivalent to the cumulative damage of 100 compliant trucks.
Severe accident consequences: Overloading increases the impact force of vehicle collisions, resulting in more severe damage and injuries. Bridge structures suffer fatigue damage due to long-term overloading; for example, the cables of the Nanchang New Bayi Bridge shortened their lifespan to 11 years due to a combination of corrosion and overloading, resulting in cable replacement costs exceeding 100 million yuan.
2.3 Impact on Driver Health
Increased driver fatigue: When a vehicle is overloaded, the driver needs extra strength to operate the controls, which increases driver fatigue, leading to slower reaction times and decreased concentration, thus increasing the probability of accidents.
Physiological burden on the driver: Under overloaded conditions, driving is more difficult, potentially leading to long-term health problems in the driver's back, waist, and other areas, especially during long periods of driving.
Overloading not only affects driving safety but also accelerates vehicle wear and tear, shortening the vehicle's lifespan. The main impacts include:
3.1 Engine damage
The engine has to bear a greater load, which can lead to overheating and component wear.
3.2 Transmission system damage
Overloading increases the pressure on the transmission system, potentially leading to failures in key components such as the gearbox and differential, increasing repair frequency and costs.
3.3 Structural fatigue
The frame and chassis are prone to fatigue damage under overloaded conditions, potentially leading to structural failures.
4.1 Strictly Enforce Load Limits
Each vehicle has a clearly defined load limit. Transportation companies should strictly require drivers to load goods according to regulations and avoid overloading.
4.2 Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Regularly conduct safety inspections of commercial vehicles to ensure that critical components such as braking systems, tires, and suspension systems are in good working order, reducing the risk of failures caused by overloading.
4.3 Strengthen Driver Training
Improve drivers' safety awareness and operational skills, helping them understand the potential dangers of overloading, thereby reducing violations.
4.4 Intelligent Monitoring System
Install real-time monitoring equipment to record load conditions. The system can issue timely warnings when overloading occurs, preventing accidents.
|
Technical solution |
Core components |
Application effect |
Case source |
|
Non- on-site law enforcement system |
High-definition license plate recognition + axle load sensor + cloud platform |
With an accuracy rate of over 98%, law enforcement efficiency is improved by 3 times. |
Kunhengxuan Highway Intelligent Sensing and Monitoring System |
|
Vehicle- mounted weighing warning |
Pressure-sensing suspension weighing module + real-time alarm terminal |
Real-time display of axle load distribution, with early warning of overload. |
Company-developed system (not publicly disclosed) |
|
AI Image Recognition |
AI analysis of carriage height and cargo shape |
This aids in determining whether limits are exceeded and is applicable to non-weighing road sections. |
Hunan pilot project |
The above system has achieved "unattended operation, 24/7 monitoring, and automatic traceability," and is currently the most effective engineering method for controlling overloading.
|
Standard Name |
Applicable to |
Maximum gross weight limit |
source |
|
GB 1589-2016 |
Four-axle truck |
31,000 kg |
Chinese mandatory national standards |
|
GB 1589-2016 |
Six-axle and above truck-trailers |
49,000 kg |
Chinese mandatory national standards |
|
ECE R141 |
Six-axle and above truck-trailers |
49,000 kg |
EU Technical Harmonization Standards |
Chinese and EU standards are highly consistent in axle load limits, reflecting international engineering consensus.
Overloading is a systemic source of safety risk, affecting five dimensions: braking, tires, structure, handling, and infrastructure, and exhibiting non-linear, cumulative, and hidden characteristics. The risk of overloading in commercial vehicles not only endangers road traffic safety but also has a significant impact on the vehicle itself, driver health, and the company's economic interests.
By strengthening management, enhancing training, and improving technical means, we can effectively prevent and mitigate the various risks associated with overloading. Only by eliminating overloading at the source can we ensure road transport safety and protect the interests of businesses and society.
