Why do we warn against overloading a passenger vehicle?

On the Arrive Alive road safety website we often warn against the overloading of vehicles. We would like to share a few of these reasons:

Overloading a vehicle will pose the following risks:

• The vehicle will be less stable, difficult to steer and take longer to stop. Vehicles react differently when the maximum weights which they are designed to carry are exceeded.


• Overloaded vehicles can cause the tyres to overheat and wear rapidly which increases the chance of premature, dangerous and expensive failure or blow-outs.


• The driver’s control and operating space in the overloaded vehicle is diminished, escalating the chances for an accident.


• The overloaded vehicle cannot accelerate as normal – making it difficult to overtake


• At night, the headlights of an overloaded vehicle will tilt up, blinding oncoming drivers to possible debris or obstructions on the roadway


• Brakes have to work harder due to ‘the riding of brakes’ and because the vehicle is heavier due to overloading. Brakes overheat and lose their effectiveness to stop the car.


• With overloading, seat belts are often not used as the aim is to pack in as many persons as possible into the vehicle


• The whole suspension system comes under stress and, over time, the weakest point can give way.


• By overloading your vehicle you will incur higher maintenance costs to the vehicle – tyres, brakes, shock absorbers and higher fuel consumption


• Insurance cover on overloaded vehicles may be void as overloading is illegal

For more on these dangers view: Overloading and Road Safety

Are we really guilty of overloading? You be the judge!

Why do we warn against overloading a passenger vehicle?