Reprimand by DTC
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• Haltwistlebased Richard and Janice Philipson, whose licence was suspended after they failed to attend a public inquiry in September (CAI 7-13 October), have been reprimanded by North Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner Brian Horner.
Vehicle examiner John Johnson said no records could be produced for the period November 1992 to July 1993, or a system for reporting defects. When the vehicle and trailer operated were examined at a fleet inspection in July no defects could be found. The only prohibition on file was issued in January 1989 for a fractured road wheel.
Questioned by the Deputy Commissioner, Johnson said the vehicle appeared to have been maintained and operated between November and July, There was no system for driver defect reporting as this was an owner-driver operation.
Richard Philipson said maintenance was contracted out to the local main dealer. Defects were always rectified as they occurred. Between November and July inspections were being carried out by themselves and the contractor was repairing defects After December 1992 financial obligations built up, the insurance needed renewing and the vehicle's clutch broke. He knew the vehicle needed taxing but it was not as important as the insurance and maintaining the vehicle.
He knew the vehicle should not have been on the road but he needed to keep working to catch up financially The vehicle had now been taxed.
Horner remarked that it was pleasing to note that during the currency of the licence there had only been one prohibition issued. Not paying vehicle excise duty was irresponsible but he could understand why it had been done, although it was something he could not condone. On the whole there had been a high standard of maintenance, therefore he was content merely to issue a reprimand,