Overloaded van stopped on A2 motorway with 62% excess weight

A dangerously overloaded van was stopped on the A2 motorway near Gelsenkirchen on March 26, 2026. Police acted after a witness reported the vehicle travelling toward Dortmund with its load dangerously close to the road surface. Officers intercepted the van at the Gelsenkirchen-Resse junction for an inspection. The vehicle's registered maximum weight was 3.5 metric tons, yet it tipped the scales at 5,680 kilograms—62% over the legal limit. The cargo, liquid soap, left just 18 centimetres of clearance between the bumper and the road.

The driver was immediately banned from continuing the journey. Authorities ordered the load to be redistributed before the van could move again. Both the driver and the vehicle's owner now face administrative proceedings, each carrying a standard fine of €235. Police are also examining whether the overloading was intentional. If proven deliberate, the penalty could double. Gelsenkirchen officers emphasised the risks posed by such violations, including vehicle damage, roadway destruction, and severe danger to all road users.

The van's excessive weight led to an instant halt and mandatory load adjustment. Investigations into possible deliberate overloading remain ongoing. The case highlights the strict enforcement of weight limits on German motorways.