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Red Forge is calling for an O-licence scheme for 3.5-tonne vans, which it hopes will act as a deterrent to van operators who run overloaded. Phil Bridge, sales office manager at on-board vehicle weighing specialist Red Forge, says: "A growing number of operators seem to be downsizing from trucks to 3.5-tonne vans in order to avoid O-licence regulations. And many of these are running overloaded."

For this reason he wants a van-type O-licence system, whereby those operators who run illegally  will risk losing their licence. This is how it works for truck operators who also run vans. He acknowledges that among the lawbreakers are a large number of people who are simply ignorant about overloading regulations. "It's amazing how many people think that a 3.5-tonner will actually carry 3.5 tonnes," he says. "It's all about better education."

Ignorance or not, the punishment for overloading is the same - a maximum fine of £5,000 per offence. With a 3.5-tonne van that's potentially an overloaded front axle, an overloaded rear axle and an overloaded vehicle, which could add-up to £15,000. And according to Bridge, the fines can be handed out to both driver and owner.

Redditch-based Red Forge is experiencing a healthy growth in sales, which it attributes to new corporate manslaughter legislation. "If an overloaded van crashes, there are huge Health & Safety implications," says Bridge, "not to mention the fact that the insurance company will not pay out."

Red Forge has launched the Limitlite Plus, an on-board weighing system which is suitable for vehicles up to 8.2 tonnes. It monitors the gross vehicle weight as well as the individual axle weights.