Dibrugarh: The District Transport Office (DTO), Jorhat, suspended the driving licences of 29 vehicle drivers in Aug for overloading as the transport department intensified enforcement against road safety violations.According to the official suspension status for Aug, all 29 cases recorded during the month were related to overloading. The highest number of suspensions was recorded on Aug 26, when nine driving licences were suspended.DTO Jorhat Dhananjay Saikia on Thursday said the department was keeping a close watch on overloaded vehicles and would continue strict enforcement against violations.“Overloading is a serious traffic violation and poses a major threat to road safety. It affects the stability and braking efficiency of vehicles and can lead to serious accidents. We will continue to take strict action against violators,” Saikia said.Under Section 194(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a goods vehicle found carrying excess load attracts a fine of Rs 20,000, along with an additional Rs 2,000 for every tonne of excess load. The vehicle is also liable to be stopped until the excess load is removed, with the vehicle owner or person in control required to bear the off-loading charges.Saikia said the enforcement was aimed not only at penalising offenders but also at preventing accidents and protecting roads and bridges from damage caused by overloaded vehicles. “We appeal to vehicle owners and drivers to strictly follow the permissible load limits. Overloading endangers the driver as well as other road users. Those violating the rules will face action as per the law,” he said.He added that overloaded vehicles could affect braking and stability, increasing the possibility of accidents, particularly on busy highways and during long-distance journeys.
