I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the Mariental-Kalkrand tragic car accident, involving correctional officers and police officers, and I also wish strength and healing to those who survived and are recovering. 

This article was not inspired by a recent tragic accident. My intention is rather to raise broader awareness about the leading causes of such accidents and their impact on road users. 

Impact of overloading 

Many cars are capable of carrying lots of passengers and luggage relative to their size; however, every car has a limit on how much weight it is capable of carrying, and if you are not too careful, you risk overloading your car. As anyone who has ever driven a fully laden car when heading off on a family holiday or performing farming activities, and especially those in transport and logistics management, can attest to, a car becomes very heavy when it’s crammed with passengers and their various belongings. 

All vehicles have weight limits, and it is essential to understand these and never exceed them. Overloading happens when a car carries more weight than it is designed to support. That’s why it is essential to be aware of your vehicle’s weight limit; otherwise, you risk lives, damaging your car, and or breaking the law. 

For instance, the extra weight will make it much harder for the driver to control an overloaded car, mainly if the weight isn’t distributed evenly in the car. It won’t respond to steering inputs as quickly as possible, and it will take a lot longer to build up and maintain speed. 

All the extra weight will also increase your car’s stopping distance and reduce reaction time. As such, an overloaded car will be trickier to slow down when avoiding an unexpected obstacle. 

Depending on the size and quantity of the items, cargo, or passengers you are loading into the car, driving manoeuvres and visibility may also be compromised in an overloaded vehicle. Perhaps the most serious consequence of overloading a car is the extra strain it puts on some of the key components of your vehicle. 

Your car’s suspension will have been engineered to accept a specific weight, so any payloads that exceed those limits will mean your car’s suspension will be put under far more strain that it was designed to tolerate, meaning it could potentially even fail when you are driving. 

The same principles apply to your car’s tyres. All of that extra weight pushing the tyres into the tarmac will not only wear them out faster but also increase the chances of them failing due to all that extra mass. 

Overloading can also make it more difficult to control the vehicle while speeding on the road. Five things happen when a car is overloaded. 

A) The vehicle becomes more difficult to control. Your stopping distance increases as the brakes struggle to cope with the extra weight. Acceleration becomes slower as the engine labours to move the vehicle. 

B) Fuel consumption increases as the engine works harder to move extra weight. 

C) The reduction of tyre life. The extra heat and pressure can also increase the risk of a tyre blowout. 

D) Increased wear and tear on suspension and brakes. 

E) Overloading a vehicle is illegal because it exceeds the maximum permissible weight for a vehicle or its axes, posing a significant safety risk and carrying severe legal penalties. 

Gross vehicle weight rating 

All cars have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the maximum weight the car can carry, including its weight, fluids, passengers, and items in the car. This weight is on the VIN plate, usually inside the driver’s door or in the owner’s manual. The first weight on the VIN plate is the GVWR. If towing or using a roof box, these affect the weight and payload. The VIN plate and manual also list the recommended tyre pressure when fully loaded. 

In closing, overloading people in an open bed or a van is extremely dangerous, as the area is not designed for passengers and lacks safety features like seatbelts or structural protection. It carries a high risk of injury or death from ejection during collisions, falls, and exposure to road hazards. For safe transportation, passengers should use the vehicle’s cabin or, if modified, a properly secured and enclosed seating area with safety restraints. 

Besides safety risks, being caught with an overloaded car can lead to fines, penalty points, and insurance issues. You may face fines, and in some countries, up to three penalty points. If involved in an accident and deemed overloaded, your insurance could be invalidated. 

The driver is responsible for vehicle safety and avoiding overloads, ensuring passengers and cargo stay within weight limits. For vans and commercial vehicles, both driver and employer can face fines, penalties, or criminal charges if overloaded. Overloading and speeding are illegal and dangerous, risking safety and road integrity. Drivers must follow rules and stay alert. 

*Maj. Gen. (RTD) J. B Tjivikua is a criminal intelligence analyst.