Temperature restrictions are in place in Mykolaiv, but lorries are still driving through the city: the police have explained why

Temperature restrictions for lorries have been in force in the Mykolaiv region since 22 June, although some lorries are permitted to travel on the city’s roads and streets even during the heatwave.

In a comment to NikVesti, the police explained who is exempt from the restrictions.

Vitalii Dushko, press officer for the Mykolaiv Region Patrol Police, reminded us that the restrictions apply only when the air temperature reaches +28°C or higher. In such cases, from 08:00 to 23:00, lorries with a gross weight exceeding 24 tonnes and an axle load exceeding seven tonnes are prohibited from travelling.

When the temperature exceeds the set limit, law enforcement officers stop and inspect heavy goods vehicles. During the inspection, they determine whether the lorry is subject to the temperature restrictions.

If the vehicle’s weight does not exceed the established limits or it falls into a category to which the ban does not apply, the driver may continue their journey.

«The restrictions do not apply to vehicles transporting military cargo, passengers, international cargo, perishable goods, live animals, post or dangerous goods. Vehicles involved in emergency response operations may also travel without restriction,» said Vitalii Dushko.

The police note that, in some cases, drivers are advised to wait out the heat at designated parking areas. At the same time, due to security concerns, law enforcement officers are trying to prevent large concentrations of heavy goods vehicles in any one place.

As a reminder, temperature restrictions for heavy goods vehicles in the Mykolaiv region were introduced to protect the road surface. During periods of extreme heat, the tarmac becomes more vulnerable to heavy loads, so the movement of heavy goods vehicles is temporarily restricted during the day. Appropriate prohibition signs and information boards have been erected on public roads of national importance for this purpose.

At the same time, Mykolaiv City Council has pointed out that these restrictions have been in place in the city for three years now. According to the First Deputy Mayor, Vitalii Lukov, the executive committee adopted the relevant decision as far back as 7 July 2023. The document prohibits vehicles weighing over 24 tonnes and with an axle load exceeding seven tonnes from travelling on the streets of Mykolaiv when temperatures exceed +28°C.

«Such decisions are not adopted every year. It was adopted once and remains in force, so we have asked that it be followed in practice,» Vitalii Lukov explained in a comment to NikVesti.

He added that in June this year, the patrol police approached the city council to ask whether a new resolution needed to be adopted. In response, the city council stated that the 2023 document remains in force and resubmitted a copy of it to the law enforcement agencies.

«In effect, we have fulfilled our role: we reminded the patrol police of the current resolution and resubmitted a copy of it. It is now up to the patrol police to implement this resolution,» noted Vitalii Lukov.

Previously, the former head of the Patrol Police Department in the Mykolaiv region, Vitalii Danila, explained that lorries cannot be left on the approaches to the city due to the risk of shelling and the lack of safe places to park.

It should be recalled that in 2025, lorries were permitted to travel during curfew hours in the Mykolaiv region.