In traffic sign regulations, what do signs indicating weight restrictions help ensure?

Signs indicating weight restrictions are primarily aimed at the protection of road infrastructure. Roads and bridges are designed to support certain weight limits based on materials and engineering specifications. When vehicles that exceed these limits travel on them, it can lead to structural damage, increased wear, and ultimately the need for costly repairs. By enforcing weight restrictions, these signs help ensure that the roadways and bridges remain safe and functional for all users.

While safety from oversized vehicles is indeed a concern and could be viewed as indirectly related to infrastructure protection, the signs themselves are implemented specifically to prevent damage to the infrastructure rather than directly addressing vehicle safety. Traffic congestion and parking availability are not directly related to weight restrictions, making them less relevant in this context. Thus, the focus of weight restriction signs firmly aligns with protecting the integrity of the road system.