Safety should be priority for overloaded trucks issue

LOCAL TRAFFIC POLICE officers in Yilan county, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, have reportedly been stopping overloaded large trucks wanting to use the Songhua River Ferry, imposing "fines" on the divers before letting them proceed. The local traffic police department said it was to manage the overloaded trucks, but the police officers involved have been accused of pocketing the fines. Beijing Times commented on Wednesday:

Although the local traffic police department has tried to put a stop to the rumor, the media reports include evidence and testimony that a mature chain has taken shape "mediating" the passage of overloaded trucks.

Heavily laden trucks are indeed a serious problem. Many truck owners overload their vehicles, knowing that if they don't, they will find it hard to make a profit. But safety has to come first, which is why there are fines for overloading.