Truck Weighing Stations REF#5791

Overweight and overloaded trucks pose a hazard to roads, other drivers, and pedestrians in Cambodia. The country’s regulations, specifically Articles 26 and 60 of the Road Traffic Law, set a weight limit on trucks permitted on the road and establish a system of inspections through weighing stations located along the main Cambodian highways. Trucks weighing over 5 tons must pass through special weighing stations situated at various points along the road, at any time of the day or night.

There are approximately 30 weighing stations located on Cambodia’s roads, placed outside cities at regular intervals. For example, there are reportedly three weighing stations on the road from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, a major logistical artery. At these stations, Cambodian officials weigh the trucks and cross-check the weight with the maximum allowance, which is 40 tons. If a vehicle is found to be non-compliant, it is either given a warning for the first reported infringement, or fined based on the percentage of the load that is overweight. The fines reportedly range from a few dozen to hundreds of dollars.

In theory, the same vehicle should produce the same weight measurement if weighed on more than one weighing station. However, reports suggest that trucks produce different results depending on which weighing station they are inspected at, raising questions about the calibration and harmonisation of measurements across the country’s weighing stations.

The lack of harmonised measurements at Cambodian truck weighing stations can have several negative impacts on the country. Firstly, it can lead to inconsistencies in enforcing weight limits on trucks, resulting in overloaded trucks on the roads. Overloaded trucks can cause significant damage to the roads and bridges, leading to costly repairs and maintenance. These trucks also pose a risk to road safety, increasing the likelihood of accidents and damage to other vehicles.

Secondly, the lack of harmonisation can harm fair competition as it allows unscrupulous businesses to cut corners and save costs by overloading their trucks. This can undercut compliant businesses’ efforts to maintain the safety and reliability of their trucking fleet and harm the overall competitiveness of the industry.

Finally, it can result in higher costs for the trucking industry. Inconsistent measurements can lead to disputes between trucking companies and authorities over the weight of their vehicles, resulting in delays, fines, and higher insurance premiums.