The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has confirmed that 1,643 trucks were fined a total of $700,000 for overloading in the first six months of the year, a 15% rise in the offence, compared to 1,430 trucks fined over $560,000 in the previous year. The Overloaded Truck Inspection Committee (OTIC) of the ministry, which compiled the report, also said that 599,721 trucks were exempted from fine and 220 trucks were impounded under Article 60 of the Road Traffic Law. Heang Sotheayuth, spokesman of Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, said yesterday that the number has risen this year because trucks are back to business and on roads after Covid-19 crisis.“As a measure, we strive to raise awareness about Articles 26 and 60 of the Road Traffic Law at the local level and the stations where weighing of vehicles carried out during the raids. The ministry will also monitor these stations directly from the command centre with the help of modern technology,” he said.He added that trucks carrying more than 20% of their allowed weight will be barred from roads for one year and the most of the offences reported were from Kandal and Battambang provinces. Meanwhile, Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport and Chairman of the Steering Committee for Inspection of Overloaded Vehicles, has appealed to all stakeholders involved in transporting of goods to abide by traffic rules in order to reduce road accidents. He reminded that “overloading damages the roads and it will create potholes” causing dangers to motorists as well as pedestrians. He said that the Ministry will step up patrolling and confiscation of overloaded trucks across the country. Besides, depots selling sand will be issued notices if found transporting sand beyond the permissible limits.He added that the Ministry has set up CCTV cameras to monitor the inspections and removed officials who were found to be negligent in carrying out their tasks. The officials concerned will be trained in new technology to transfer data from provinces to the Ministry.