How to Solve the Problems Created by the Large Numbers of Heavy Goods Vehicles

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As our country becomes more developed we experience a rapid increase in the number of motor vehicles on the road. A great many of these vehicles are trucks, tankers and other heavy goods transporters. They are the main means on conveying goods from place to place, and they create some problems for other road users as well as the various traffic authorities.

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Big Towns and Cities

In big towns and cities, the main hubs of commerce, trucks are aplenty. The problems they create are equally many. Firstly these trucks usually have to stop to unload or load goods, and they do stop, often anywhere they like. Owing their bulk, they interfere with traffic flow and as a result cause traffic jams.

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Sometimes they get booked for indiscriminate parking but they still carry on doing so, much to the displeasure of other road users. However we cannot totally blame the truck drivers for blocking traffic flow. They have to park somewhere, and the most convenient place is in front of the intended shop since then is no parking space allotted for them.

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One way out of his problem is to provide ample parking spaces for the trucks. In this way, the truck drivers will then have no excuse for simply stopping their trucks in the middle of the road and thus impeding traffic flow.

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To Limit the Number of Heavy Vehicles

Another possible solution to his over congestion is to limit the number of heavy vehicles entering certain busy areas over a certain time everyday. Obviously this will infuriate a lot of truck operators in the beginning but I believe that traffic flow will be improved as a result and the trucks trying to enter all at one time, as is done now. All they do is to clutter up the roads and hold up traffic.

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Discipline Problems

Then, the problem of the discipline comes. By discipline I mean the behavior of the truck operators. The incidences of overloading, faulty vehicles and careless driving among the truck operators are alarming. Drive on any busy road and you will see what I mean. There are trucks so overloaded that it takes very little to unbalance them. There are also trucks without signal lights, or effective brakes. Together with their “go-to-hell” attitude, fatal accidents all too often remind us of this indiscipline.

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Stringent Tests

What I think the authorities can do about this discipline is to be stricter on the truck operators. Stringent tests and checks should be carried out as often as possible to keep them on their toes. They should be taught to be more responsible. Offenders should be fined heavily and if suspended indefinitely until they repent.

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Well-Trained and Efficient

As regards the enforcement personnel who check these vehicles, the officers should be well-trained and efficient. This includes the qualities of tact and a strong resistance to bribes. All too often truck operators get away too easily through the almighty dollar.

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Compulsory Courses

Finally I would suggest that all drivers, regardless what they drive, should undergo compulsory courses at regular intervals. These courses are not meant as fault-finding sessions but rather as opportunities for drivers to be reminded as basic road manners and also to be informed of new developments on the roads. I know the task is enormous but it is not insurmountable. The time spent on developing good driving habits coupled with up-to-date knowledge of road conditions will certainly benefits everyone. We may see an end to this madness on the road yet.