Police warn operators: check drivers' licences
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Karen Miles • Police are warning hauliers to check their drivers' licences regularly following a case in which a disqualified lorry driver was involved in a fatal accident. Cumbria police, who are dealing with the case, want operators to check the original licences of all their drivers every three to six months—on top of the initial check before a new driver is given a job.
"Only by carrying out regular checks can hauliers safeguard themselves," , says Inspector Paul Coulson. "Companies can leave themselves wide open to prosecution for offences similar to those of their drivers." The request follows / summonses against . Manchester-area driver John Davidson for driving while banned for three years, driving without insurance and driving without due care and attention.
Davidson's lack of licence was discovered after he drove a 7.5-tonne lorry on the wrong side of the A595 near Muncaster in June last year. The crash killed a woman in an oncoming car. Davidson says a bee came into his cab and he was unable to avoid the accident.
The inquest into the woman's death recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Davidson's employer, North Yorkshire-based Crangrove, accepted a copy of Davidson's licence when it employed him.
Unknown to Crangrove or its insurance company, Davidson was driving illegally. However, the company's insurer has agreed to cover the accident.