The government is set to increase the penalty fine for overloaded trucks from GH¢5,000 to GH¢50,000, according to Roads and Highways Minister, Governs Kwame Agbodza.
The minister stated that the current fine is too low to serve as a deterrent to offenders, and the government is revising the legislative instrument governing axle load control to allow for the higher penalty.
Agbodza emphasized that the existing maximum penalty does not reflect the cost of damage caused to roads by overloaded vehicles. “You cannot have a penalty of GH¢5,000 when the damage you are doing is GH¢50,000. You have to increase the penalty,” he said.
The minister also announced that tougher measures are being considered for repeat offenders, including the seizure of vehicles used to breach the law. “If you are a repeat offender, we will confiscate the vehicle. We are going to make it tough,” Agbodza warned.
The Roads and Highways Ministry has identified overloading as a major cause of rapid road deterioration, accelerating pavement failure, and increasing maintenance costs.
The government aims to reduce road damage and enhance safety through the Axle Load Management reforms.
