Trucks on Commonwealth Avenue overloaded – DPWH

MANILA, Philippines –  Trucks that travel along the capital’s so-called “killer highway” have been found to be overloaded.

Of the nearly 1,135 trucks that used the 12.4-kilometer Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City last January, at  least 369 or 33% are loaded beyond the vehicle weight limit, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) report showed.

The road is known as the “killer highway” due to the frequent accidents in the area. It is the widest road in the Philippines, able to accommodate between 6 to 18 lanes.

On Saturday, March 1, at least 11 people were injured along Commonwealth after a bus rammed into 8 other vehicles.

The DPWH report was based on data generated from the agency’s weighing station between January 10 to 31. 

Over the same period, the DPWH also apprehended at least 314 overloaded trucks of the 1,243 trucks it inspected along Pacheco Street in Manila. 

Along Bonifacio Drive, 154 trucks of the 2,142 that were weighed were cited for overloading. At least 109 cases of overloading were also documented along Roxas Boulevard, Magallanes, and MIA Road.

Warning

DPWH  Secretary Rogelio Singson earlier warned about the dangers posed by overloaded vehicles.

“(The government is) not after the collection of fines as the amount equivalent to 25% of registration fees for loading beyond the prescribed GVW (gross vehicle weight) is not enough to repair damage on highways and bridges, and the high risk of death and serious injuries for road users and the general public due to overloading,” Singson said.

The DPWH earlier deferred the implementation of the new maximum GVW for trucks and trailers that fall under codes 12-2 and 12-3 with load exceeding GVWs of 41,500 kilograms and 42,000 kilogram, respectively.

“The extended suspension until July 31 is more than enough time for haulers and truckers to upgrade their transport fleets to conform to the latest GVW,” the agency said.

However, Manila went ahead with the implementation of its ordinance that banned trucks –  except those carrying perishable goods or those involved in government projects – from entering and traversing the city from 5 am to 9 pm.

It earlier modified the ban and introduced a window period from 10 am to 3 pm. – Rappler.com