11. DO NOT Overload Vehicles
This is a major issue in India, partly due to major corruption involved.
Overloading a vehicle, whether with passengers or cargo, is a serious safety hazard. It affects the vehicle’s balance, braking, and handling, increasing the risk of accidents.
In India, overloading is a common but dangerous practice, especially in rural and commercial transport.
Why Overloading Is Dangerous
- Reduces braking efficiency — overloaded vehicles take longer to stop
- Increases tire wear and risk of blowouts
- Affects steering and stability, especially on curves or slopes
- Obstructs driver visibility and mirror use
- Puts passengers at risk of injury or death in case of sudden stops or collisions
A vehicle is designed for a specific load. Exceeding it is like playing with lives.
Common Overloading Scenarios in India
- School vans carrying 10–15 children in a 6-seater
- Goods carriers loaded beyond axle limits
- Two-wheelers carrying 3 or more people
- Tractors or autos transporting people in cargo space
- Buses with passengers hanging from doors or roofs
These practices are not just unsafe, they’re illegal.
Legal Consequences
- Overloading is punishable under the Motor Vehicles Act
- Fines range from ₹2,000 to ₹20,000 depending on the vehicle type and severity
- Commercial vehicles may face permit suspension or impoundment
- In case of an accident, overloading can be used as evidence of negligence
Insurance claims may be denied if overloading is proven.
Common Misconceptions
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| "It’s just one extra person." | That one person could be the tipping point in an accident. |
| "We’ve done it before, nothing happened." | Past luck doesn’t guarantee future safety. |
| "It saves time and money." | One accident can cost lives and far more than any savings. |
What You Should Do
- Know your vehicle’s maximum load and passenger capacity
- Never exceed the manufacturer’s recommended limits
- For commercial transport, distribute weight evenly and secure cargo
- Say no to riding in overloaded vehicles. Your safety comes first
- Report habitual overloading to local authorities
🚛 Overloading in Trucks and Commercial Vehicles
Trucks are designed to carry heavy loads, but even they have strict limits.
Overloading trucks is a major cause of road accidents, mechanical failures, and infrastructure damage in India.
Risks of Overloading Trucks:
- Brake failure and tire bursts due to excessive weight, common in hills
- Reduced maneuverability — harder to steer or stop in emergencies
- Bridge and road damage — overloaded trucks weaken public infrastructure
- Higher risk of rollovers on curves or slopes
- Increased fuel consumption and wear-and-tear
Overloaded trucks are not just unsafe, they’re a threat to everyone sharing the road.
Legal Limits and Enforcement:
- Axle load limits are defined by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules
- Overloaded trucks may be detained, fined, or impounded
- Fines can range from ₹20,000 to ₹1,00,000 depending on the excess weight
- Transporters may lose permits or face blacklisting for repeated violations
What Truck Owners and Drivers Should Do:
- Always check gross vehicle weight (GVW) before loading
- Use weighbridges to verify compliance
- Distribute cargo evenly and secure it properly
- Avoid pressure from clients to “fit in more”. Safety comes first
- Maintain proper documentation and permits for cargo
Responsible trucking protects lives, cargo, and roads.
Key Takeaways
- Overloading is illegal, unsafe, and irresponsible
- It endangers everyone: passengers, pedestrians, and other road users
- Respect your vehicle’s limits to protect lives
Real life examples
हादसों को निमंत्रण देते हैं ओवरलोड लोडिंग वाहन l जोधपुर के चौपासनी क्षेत्र के 11 सेक्टर का बताया जा रहा है वीडियो । वीडियो सोशल मीडिया पर हो रहा है जमकर वायरल । लोडिंग वाहनों का इस्तेमाल हो रहा है पैसेंजर ले जाने में । @CP_Jodhpur @RajPoliceHelp @JodhpurTrafficP #Jodhpur
1st time seeing a runaway truck ramp being put to use in India Location-Kasara ghat on Mumbai-Nashik highway. Good to see the presence of trailing truck to not allow anybody to overtake and making way for runway truck to change lanes towards the ramp 📷 @sumant.8436
Not only is this dangerously stupid, but it also shows how the public are literally careless about their safety, or at least unaware of it. @MunicipalityMog Public safety should be the number one priority and these type of vehicles should not be allowed to overload. #Mogadishu
These are cold blooded murders on our highways. Bus with a seating capacity of 55 carrying 72 pax. A dumper truck carrying 40-50 tonnes of gravel-nire than twice the legal limit. Our highways are killer roads.
#Bareilly बरेली से बड़ी खबर *️⃣ट्रैफिक पुलिस के सामने ही चल रहा ओवरलोडिंग का खेल! *️⃣सड़क पर मौत बनकर दौड़ रहे हैं वाहन *️⃣एक वाहन में ठूंसी जा रही हैं 12-12 सवारियां *️⃣ट्रैफिक पुलिस के सामने ही होता है पूरा खेल *️⃣चालान काटने पर कुछ TSI की लगती है सिफारिश *️⃣नियमों की खुलेआम उड़ रही
🚨 बाह में ओवरलोड ट्रैक्टरों का आतंक! हर रोज़ कस्बे से कई ट्रैक्टर-ट्रॉलियां ईंटों से लदी निकलती है कभी भी हो सकता है बड़ा हादसा पुलिस द्वारा कई बार सीज़ के बावजूद भी ओवरलोडिंग का खेल जारी है। राहगीरों में भय का माहौल, #BahNews #Agra #OverloadTractor #RoadSafety #BreakingNews
Police in #India found 19 passengers crammed into a #rickshaw after spotting it driving erratically, leading to the driver's fine for overloading the #vehicle.
नीमकाथाना के पाटन की सड़कों पर बेखौफ दौड़ रहे ओवरलोड डंपर, ग्रामीण बोले - जयपुर जैसे हादसे के इंतजार में जिम्मेदार, आज का वीडियो - डंपर नही यमराज.! #NeemKaThana #Patan #OverloadDumper #नीमकाथाना_न्यूज @BhajanlalBjp @RajCMO @DcDmSikar #YoEstoyConIván #SOOBINxWKOREA
पंजाब में ट्रैफिक विभाग @PbGovtIndia सड़क पर चलने ओवरलोडिंग वाले वाहनों पर शिकंजा कसे । समय पर आफिस पहुंचना हो, एमरजैंसी मरीज़ को अस्पताल पहुंचना हो, तब ये ओवरलोडिंग वाले रास्ता नहीं देते। तो इसके लिए भी क्या सुप्रीम कोर्ट जाना पड़ेगा ?
Overloaded vehicle is a sign of greed, so pay a little heed before overloading! Be wise and don't overload your vehicles. #PunjabRoadSafetyAlert #RoadSafetyWeek
NOIDA तेज रफ्तार दौड़ रहे ओवरलोड डंपर , परिवहन विभाग और यातायात पुलिस प्रशासन.. इन्हें रोकने में नाकाम ... इन रेत से भरे ओवरलोड डंपर लगातार बन रहे हादसे का कारण। पार्थला से चार मूर्ति के पास की तस्वीर। UP16LT8616 @Uppolice @artonoida @dmgbnagar @noidapolice @uptrafficpolice
“Kar du challan? Kar du?” “Arey rukiye sir! Chaliye ATM”
Sir/Ma'am..!! We have recently witnessed a gruesome accident at #gachibowli because of the #tipper truck,in the below video a truck opposite to #RTO bandlaguda (11:30 pm 1/1/23) carrying heavy stones without closing the backside lid, please take stringent action before it can
Viewer discretion is advised
Reposting. Do you think the biker had trouble identifying the overloaded cargo? If yes, how do we safeguard ourselves? Rule 93(8) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 prohibits overloaded cargo but as usual we fail in implementation.
Whether you’re a biker, car driver, or pedestrian: Stay away from tractors, pickups, or tempos loaded with materials like this. Avoid getting too close — it’s safer to keep your distance. The real culprits of this incident are RTO, Police, Owner of lorry won’t be held liable
Is this legal?In every town and cities they deliver like this.
ओवरलोड वाहनों के कारण निरंतर घटनाएँ हो रही है ! आज क्षेत्र में भृमण के दौरान पाया की एक ट्रक ओवरलोड के कारण पलट गया ! मौके पर मौजूद लोगों द्वारा बताया गया की कई वाहन दबने से बचें, हमने पूर्व में जिलाधिकारी मेरठ एव परिवहन अधिकारियों को इसके संदर्भ में अवगत कराया था लेकिन अभी तक
@HYDTP @hydcitypolice @TelanganaDGP @NHAI_Official @MORTHIndia Govt Bus with 72 passanger - over capacity Truck with 50 tonnes gravel - double capacity What are highway police, RTO, toll operators, police and state Govt doing ? Sleeping and just announcing compensation ?
Before you add that extra person or package, ask yourself:
“Is this worth risking a life?”
Drive light. Drive right. Stay safe.
Overloading a vehicle makes it unstable that may result in breakdown or accident. Always follow rules related to weight and load-carrying capacity. #NHAI #RoadSafetywithRaahi #BuildingANation
Batala Police appeals to all truck drivers — no overloading and follow road safety rules. Let’s drive responsibly and keep our roads safe for everyone. #RoadSafety