Overloaded trucks face fines up to 70,000 dinars (DZD), gendarmerie warns

The National Gendarmerie has warned truck owners in Algeria that overloading their vehicles can bring fines of up to 70,000 dinars.

The gendarmerie posted it on its official Facebook page.

The gendarmerie said it has equipped its units with mobile weighing stations to measure loads. The stations are meant to make drivers aware of the risks of overloading.

An overloaded vehicle is harder to control, and it carries a higher risk of road accidents, the gendarmerie said.

How big is the fine?

The size of the fine depends on how far the load is above the legal limit.

Loads up to 10% over the limit face a fine of 7,000 dinars. Loads more than 10% and up to 20% over face a fine of 8,000 dinars.

Loads more than 20% and up to 30% over the limit face a fine of 9,000 dinars. Loads more than 30% over the limit are classed as a misdemeanour, with a fine of between 10,000 and 70,000 dinars.

Overloads above 80%

The gendarmerie said it has recorded cases where the overload was above 80%. It said this shows how serious the offence is.

Keeping to the legal load is required by law. The gendarmerie said it is also a preventive measure that protects lives.

The gendarmerie said the measures serve both carriers and road users, and help build a road safety culture.