The Land Transport Authority has increased its operations at weighbridges, roads, major ports and jetties to help curb the issue of overloading.

This comes as a total of 187 Traffic Infringement Notices were issued for overloading in the first quarter of this year.

LTA statistics revealed that ten wheeler trucks were issued the highest number of TINs at forty-one percent followed by twelve wheeler trucks at thirty percent and six wheeler trucks at twenty-four percent.

LTA also conducted show-cause for sixteen companies which were found to be habitual offenders. These companies were issued written warnings to not to re-offend or they may face suspension of registration for their trucks.

LTA has engaged a team of its officers in the Northern Division to carry out operations along Wainikoro, Nabouwalu and Savusavu Highways. Two teams have also been deployed to the Western division and Central divisions to carry out 24/7operations.

LTA says heavy vehicle owners must ensure their vehicles are not overloaded and must be in compliance with the Land Transport Act 1998.

The Authority says overloaded vehicles are destroying roads and impacting negatively on economic growth as the cost of damage to infrastructure caused by these vehicles grow exponentially.