Editorial, Thursday, August 2, 2007
The new rules on the weight vehicles should carry on roads come at an appropriate time.
This is a time when the state of roads is on the national agenda. There is as much hue and cry over dilapidated highways and link roads as there is call for speedy completion of the more than 60 projects going on in all parts of the country.
Heavy trucks have played a significant role in road damage. And this is because they carry loads that are too heavy for the roads to bear.
Major highways are the main casualties. The deep marks on the roads are clear testimonies of this. Transport minister Mr Ali Mwakwere’s new rules on axle loads and vehicle weight that take effect on December 1 are welcome. Now, trucks with between three and seven axles must not exceed a load limit of 8,000kg each.
Once implemented, the Government will save at least Sh50 million spent on repairing a kilometre of damaged road. If the roads are spared the excess weight, they will last longer.
The minister warned against flouting the rules — vehicles will be impounded and owners’ licences revoked. This is as it should be. However, the problem has not been lack of rules, but implementation.
The police, Roads and Transport ministries, the Transport and Licensing Board and the Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit should enforce the rules.
The new rules on the weight vehicles should carry on roads come at an appropriate time.
This is a time when the state of roads is on the national agenda. There is as much hue and cry over dilapidated highways and link roads as there is call for speedy completion of the more than 60 projects going on in all parts of the country.
Heavy trucks have played a significant role in road damage. And this is because they carry loads that are too heavy for the roads to bear.
Major highways are the main casualties. The deep marks on the roads are clear testimonies of this. Transport minister Mr Ali Mwakwere’s new rules on axle loads and vehicle weight that take effect on December 1 are welcome. Now, trucks with between three and seven axles must not exceed a load limit of 8,000kg each.
Once implemented, the Government will save at least Sh50 million spent on repairing a kilometre of damaged road. If the roads are spared the excess weight, they will last longer.
The minister warned against flouting the rules — vehicles will be impounded and owners’ licences revoked. This is as it should be. However, the problem has not been lack of rules, but implementation.
The police, Roads and Transport ministries, the Transport and Licensing Board and the Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit should enforce the rules.
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