Recently, truck drivers have staged protests against the implementation of the Zero ODOL (Overdimension Overload) policy, which prohibits overloaded freight vehicles on public roads. The policy, viewed by some as a disruption to food distribution logistics, has sparked responses from various stakeholders.
Transportation expert Iwan Puja Riyadi, from the Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Pustral UGM), emphasized that the Zero ODOL policy must be strictly enforced to promote fairness and safety on the roads.
According to Riyadi, the ongoing ODOL practices tend to benefit only a handful of logistics companies seeking to reduce shipping costs by overloading their trucks.
“There is a tendency for business owners to act dishonestly and greedily. They load more goods than a vehicle’s capacity under the pretense of efficiency, while in reality, it endangers other road users and accelerates infrastructure damage,” he explained on Thursday, Jul. 3, 2025.
Riyadi added that accidents caused by brake failure often stem not only from technical faults, but also from overloading that hampers braking systems.
“When a vehicle exceeds its load capacity, for instance, a truck meant to carry a maximum of 8 tons is overloaded, the brakes may not function properly,” he continued.
From an infrastructure standpoint, ODOL vehicles accelerate road deterioration.
Public roads are classified according to load-bearing capacity.
When these limits are exceeded, roads deteriorate more rapidly than expected, ultimately burdening the state budget due to the frequency of repairs.
Responding to claims that the Zero ODOL policy disrupts logistics distribution, Riyadi considered this perception misguided.
“Distribution issues are not directly linked to Zero ODOL but can be addressed through the logistics companies’ responsibility to increase the number or frequency of shipments within the proper load limits,” he asserted.
He urged the government, business players, and the public to differentiate between technical vehicle compliance regulated under the Zero ODOL framework and broader distribution challenges.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of deterrents for violators, recognition for compliant business operators, and firm legal enforcement.
“Through Zero ODOL, we protect law-abiding business owners while also safeguarding other road users. This is not merely a regulation, but a form of protection,” he concluded.
Author: Ika Agustin
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photograph: freightsight