By Standard Reporter
The establishment of a traffic court at Athi River has contributed to adherence of axle load at Mlolongo Weighbridge due to expeditious dispensation of justice.
A manager at the Weighbridge says truck drivers are avoiding overloading for fear of the instant fines being meted at the Law courts following the launch of the facility by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga in June, observed Charles Njeru, the Avery East Africa Manager at the facility.
“They are now being fined per every axle abused, making them opt to comply before reaching the weighbridge”, he said.
At the same time, a decision by the Kenya National Highways Authority to issue Axle compliance certificate at the port has aided the situation.
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The move was effected by roads minister Franklin Bett.
He however said some rogue drivers were still non compliant, adding that they sometimes compromise the security of weighbridge officials and the police.
“Some have run over police spikes in a bid to avoid being turned into the weighing yard. But these are normally pursued using a Avery chase car manned by the police.
Njeru said Avery East Africa has overhauled the weighing machines at Mlolongo weighbridge in a bid to increase compliance and efficiency at the facility.
The exercise, which has been going on for the last three months was completed last week, the manager in charge of the Mlolongo facility Njeru said on Tuesday.
However, the move is part of the routine calibration of weighing equipment at Kenya’s weighbridges as stipulated by the Ministry of Roads, Kenya Roads Board and other agencies.
Axle Load Weighing equipment calibration helps to ensure that the load weight is accurate and compliant to the Traffic Act.
An over loaded truck is fined between Sh400,000 to Sh600,000. Over loaded trucks once fined must be off loaded of the excess weight before being allowed to proceed with their journey, but only after paying the fine.
“We are weighing all the lorries to ensure compliance and within record time”, he said.
