Al-Yousef: Cooperation of Relevant Authorities and Transport Companies in Protecting Roads
Press coverage 2 newspapers covered this event: Al-Jarida · Al-Qabas →
Fahd Al-Yousef chaired a meeting with ministries and transport companies to discuss protecting roads from damage caused by overloaded cargo
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Saud chaired a meeting on Wednesday with relevant government entities and representatives of several transport companies, attended by Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, to discuss measures necessary to protect roads and state property from damage caused by overloaded trucks, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef reviewed a visual presentation outlining the causes of road damage and the impact of truck overloading, and discussed ways to mitigate such damage by establishing structural standards for vehicle lanes and trucks carrying high loads, aligned with legally permitted weights. The meeting also examined technical specifications and requirements for trucks and their cargoes.
Discussions with freight transport companies and state-contracted firms for equipment transportation focused on the causes of overloading and strategies to reduce it. These included regulating weighbridge locations and truck transit through them, monitoring weights during tractor changes, and identifying suitable routes by leveraging Gulf regional experiences.
The minister emphasized the importance of cooperation between relevant authorities and transport companies in protecting road infrastructure. The meeting addressed a mechanism to fine companies or truck owners immediately upon confirmation that overloading caused road damage, enabling prompt repairs without waiting for the completion of judicial procedures.
Other topics included stricter penalties for exceeding permitted weights, failure to use designated truck lanes, and neglecting brake and tire maintenance. The discussion also covered removing drivers who commit serious violations from the road, in accordance with established regulations, and tightening oversight of buses used for passenger transport in violation of their licensed activities.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef referred to a study being prepared by the Ministry of Public Works to establish truck parking facilities outside the city, equipped with residential and living amenities, to reduce truck congestion in residential areas. He also noted the possibility of offering state-owned lots in strategic locations to the private sector to construct multi-story parking facilities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participating entities presented their plans, with each entity to begin implementing its respective responsibilities as soon as possible.
