About 80 heavy-duty trucks were impounded and their drivers were arrested for overloading, driving unroadworthy vehicles and having outstanding fines in Bayhead Road, leading to Durban Harbour, at the weekend.

The crackdown was part of the metro police's strategy to alleviate traffic congestion in Bayhead Road.

The chairperson of the South African Association of Freight Forwarders and Harbour Carriers Divisions, Kevin Martin said none of their members were affected, and he commended the metro police for the sterling job.

"We have been calling for stringent police enforcement along Bayhead Road. The metro police should continue to impound vehicles if they are unroadworthy because broken- down vehicles cause traffic jams which costs all transporters money," said Martin.

Metro police Supt Joyce Khuzwayo urged truck owners to adhere to the rules of the road and ensure that all outstanding fines were paid.

She warned that the police would not be responsible for the loss or damage of goods in impounded trucks.

Port manager Ricky Bhikraj said traffic enforcement was necessary for good order and efficiency to prevail at the port.

"The monitoring of overloading is necessary to ensure the integrity of roads," he said.

• This article was originally published on page 5 of The Mercury on January 27, 2009