A convoy of overloaded trucks formed at the entrance to Petropavlovsk from the direction of Astana. To avoid weight control and liability, drivers left their vehicles on the roadside and fled, reports infohub.kz.
According to the Department of Passenger Transport and Highways of the North Kazakhstan Region, the situation arose during the 'Road Safety' preventive campaign aimed at preserving roads and ensuring safe traffic.
Head of the department, Yerden Shortybaev, said the drivers of overloaded vehicles abandoned their trucks in an attempt to evade weight control.
"The drivers of these vehicles, due to overloading, left their vehicles to avoid weighing. They have been absent for two days now. The details of all vehicles have been identified," Yerden Shortybaev said.
Initially, 28 trucks were reported, but later the police department of the North Kazakhstan Region clarified that there were actually 32 vehicles.
Since the owners did not retrieve their vehicles for two days, police officers were brought in to resolve the issue. According to the department, the situation was fully resolved by 2:30 p.m. on July 19.
After preventive talks, all 32 trucks proceeded to the weight control station, were weighed, and continued on their routes. Authorized state bodies took action against all drivers in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The department reminds that overloaded trucks cause serious damage to road surfaces, especially in hot weather. Their weight creates ruts on new asphalt, reducing road lifespan and increasing repair costs.
Based on the measurements taken, specialists plan to file lawsuits in court to recover material damages caused to the republican highway.