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Slap on the wrist at second disciplinary
Page 32
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AN OPERATOR has temporarily lost the use of three trucks out of 22 after its second disciplinary inquiry within three years.
This time, an axle overload, combined with hours offences, brought Midsomer Norton-based Ai Stock before the TC.The licence was cut to 19 vehicles for 30 days — a lenient punishment, as the company is only running 19 trucks at present,with three on order. Western Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown said he hoped it would be the company's last public inquiry. For Al Stock, Miles Dorrington said that the driver concerned, who had been with the firm for only 12 months, had been given the company's substantial documentation on regulations. The axle overload occurred when delivering animal feed in the Bristol area.
The driver, not being familiar with the vehicle, was unaware of the correct loading procedures. It seems he had also misunderstood the daily rest provisions, which led him to exceed the driving limit.
All drivers had since been spoken (oat length. and told that if there's any doubt as to weight, they must check at the nearest weighbridge, said Dorrington. The company was confident that the offences were a 'one-off . Asked what had been done since the previous public inquiry, which had also involved an overloading conviction, Dorrington said the drivers had been educated in balancing multi-drop loads.
Managing director A Ian Stock said he had believed sufficient action had been taken, but the latest incident had highlighted shortcomings. He said the firm was determined not to get into the same position again. Any curtailment of the licence would be a severe punishment, as the company was seeking to expand.The new vehicles were on order, and one was due for delivery in a couple of weeks' time.