Slovenia is investing huge sums in building the motorway crossroads and maintaining the road network.
A single lorry trip destroys as much road surface as 38,000 cars (source: Dr Pregelj. These figures are, of course, only valid if the lorry does not exceed the total legally permissible weight of the loaded vehicle.
However, if the legal GVW is exceeded, the damage to the road increases EXPONENTIALLY.
Our hauliers say that when the police are carrying out a GVW check, they prefer not to go on the road at all because it is not worth driving.
On the other hand, we can see that ruts have already appeared on new motorway sections, as a direct result of lorries overloading the roads with too much freight. Driving such a lorry can be compared to a giant walking on sand, leaving a trail, whereas a car is comparable to an ant, leaving no trail.
The fact that motorway carriageways have a minimum life expectancy of at least 15 years and will have to be resurfaced sooner does not seem to interest anyone.
We had better not go on about the ruined road surfaces outside the motorway network.
I suggest to the Government:
1. changes to the legislation, with a drastic increase in penalties for overweight. In extreme cases, even permanent withdrawal of the vehicle should be made a criminal offence.
2. the purchase of mobile truck scales and their use throughout the territory of Slovenia
3. strict control of all foreign trucks at entry points into Slovenia
Only the fines from this area will pay for the necessary equipment and salaries for the police officers employed. In the long run, the country will save a huge amount of money because the roads will last longer.
I am aware that the truckers will vote en masse against this proposal.