Trucker Caught Doing 156 km/h with Full Load - How Was That Possible?

German police initially thought their speed gun was broken when they pulled over a fully loaded truck doing 156 kilometers per hour on the A6 near Heilbronn. But the measurement was correct.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, new details have emerged about how the Sweden-registered Scania S500 could reach such speeds. The driver was going nearly double the legal limit for heavy trucks on German highways, well above the electronic speed limiters modern trucks are equipped with. He was even overtaking cars at 140 km/h in construction zones.

The investigation centers on the digital tachograph - the device that records speed, distance, location, and driving/rest times. Police suspect the truck's systems were tampered with. Evidence suggests the software may have been modified or compromised. The tachograph relies on accurate calibration data such as wheel circumference and gear ratios. If those settings are altered, the device can record false information, potentially to hide violations or bypass electronic safeguards.

The Scania S500 has around 500 horsepower - far more than its normal limited top speed would suggest. If the ECU or electronic speed limiter is disabled, the truck can reach significantly higher speeds. A similar case involved a Dutch truck combination with a total weight of 74 tons that was recorded at 137 km/h, also with a manipulated tachograph.

The 25-year-old Swedish driver faces charges not just for extreme speeding, but also for suspected manipulation of control equipment and possible participation in an illegal street race. If tampering is proven, the penalties could be much harsher than for a regular speeding offense.