Bakwena has identified overloaded vehicles as one of the most significant challenges to the operation of a safe toll road. Abnormal loads have increased significantly during recent years and strict control is necessary to limit the damage caused by these vehicles. Bakwena places significant emphasis on the management of overloaded vehicles and at present operates two traffic control centres under contract to the South African National Roads Agency, namely, Mantsole Traffic Control Centre on the N1 and Bapong Traffic Control Centre on the N4. These traffic control centres greatly contribute towards the strategic management and control of overloaded vehicles on the Bakwena N1N4 Toll road.
A truck carrying pulverised chrome ore was stopped on Thursday 20 May 2010 on the N4 between Kroondal and Mooinooi some 30km from Bapong. The vehicle was brought into the Bapong Traffic Control Centre for weighing. It was found that the tridem (triple axle) was 191% (21 920 tonnes) overloaded. The gross combination mass was overloaded by 129% (14 680 tonnes). The driver was subsequently arrested.
Bakwena would like to urge all truck operators to stick to the rules and load their trucks correctly. Bakwena is serious about overloading and will take the necessary steps to try and reduce the number of overloaded trucks on its road.