Tacho evidence convicts driver
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• A truck driver has been found guilty of speeding before a fatal accident on the A75 Stranraer-Dumfries road in March 1994, based on the evidence of his tachograph chart. But Dumfries Sheriff's Court exonerated William Millar of Lettercreeve, Bally, Ballymena of any blame for the accident.
Evidence was given by forensic scientists and accident investigation officers about the accuracy of the tachograph in Millar's Scania artic, which is operated by McBurney Bros of Co Antrim. An analysis of the relevant chart showed that Millar had averaged 44mph, with a peak speed of 67mph, on the A75—most of which had an HGV limit of 40mph.
Two other drivers told the court that they had been travelling in convoy and that they just drove "with the flow of traf fic" before an Austin Mini swerved to the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with Millar's artic, killing the Mini's driver (CM 23-29 March).
Defending, Michael Whiteford produced a copy of Hansard in which the Government had indicated that tachograph charts would not be used to pursue speeding offences. He said that the only evidence of Millar's speed was the tachograph chart; the evidence of the other drivers was insufficient as they could only speak of their own speeds.
Prosecutor John Martin said that what the Government had said before tachographs were introduced was only evidence of policy at that time. Sheriff Michael Fletcher decided there was sufficient evidence to find Millar guilty. He fined him £100 with three penalty points.