PHOTOS OF CONCERN - Overweight

This interesting looking vehicle was checked at the Parksville weigh scale. As evidenced by the tops of the rear tires almost scrubbing against the top of the wheel wells, it was considerably overweight.

Overweight Rules Apply to All Vehicles

Commercial trucks are not the only vehicles on the highway that may be removed from the highway if safe loading rules are not followed. This car was not allowed to continue until it was legally loaded. 

Vehicle Capacity Ratings

The driver likely didn't need to look at the vehicle capacity ratings on the sticker in the driver's door opening area to know that he should not have loaded the car like this. If he had, it would have told him the maximum safe weight for the load and how it had to be distributed.

List of Problems

Ideally, cargo that you put in or on your vehicle should be placed as low as possible. In this case, the heavy weight on the vehicle roof changes the centre of gravity significantly. This will affect the steering and make it more likely to tip over.

The more weight you add to your vehicle, the greater your stopping distance becomes. Leave more stopping distance to compensate.

Your vehicle may have a specific load limit for the cargo rack. Exceed this limit and you risk having an insecure load that falls off while driving. Check your owners manual for more information.

Remember that you are now taller than normal. You run the risk of scraping the load off the roof if you drive into some parking garages or other places with low clearance.

Being overweight can damage the vehicle's suspension. Depending on which part of the suspension fails, a collision could occur.

The Law

The Motor Vehicle Act Regulations make it illegal to operate an over weight vehicle.

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