German authorities should take a more “common sense” approach to punishing transport operators whose loads are marginally undersized, according to ESTA.
Current regulations allow for a 5 per cent variation in weight or a 15cm variation in size before a permit is deemed to be null and void.
But ESTA is asking the authorities to be more flexible when loads are under weight or under sized, as such loads pose no additional threat to weak roads and bridges, or to traffic and buildings along the route.
“The current situation defies belief,” said ESTA Director Ton Klijn. “To a certain extent, the size of a major load can expand or contract according to the weather. We are simply asking that the authorities apply some common sense when a load is slightly under size or weight.”