Tip-off on tad() charts
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• Failing to produce tachograph records to the police and DOT traffic examiners has cost Newport-based Cardiff Transport £1,475 in fines. The company admitted 26 offences when it appeared before Newport, Gwent magistrates.
The prosecution said that the offences, which related to a failure to keep tachograph records for 12 months, had come to light as a result of anonymous complaints by former employees.
When traffic examiner Robert Traynor called at the company's premises in February, there was a long period when no charts were returned. There were 58 occasions in February when charts could not be produced.
Defending, Christopher Childs said that in January 1,102 charts had been handed over and there were only 11 occasions when charts could not be produced.
Of the company's 47 vehicles, 13 were double manned. They carried steel coils on regular journeys. On occasion more than one driver used the same vehicle and records had not been linked to the drivers, There had also been problems
with the drivers having ready access to the charts, The charts were now kept in a more secure place. The company had taken the difficulties to heart and now no driver was paid on hours worked if there was no time sheet and a chart for every period worked.
Childs conceded that there were previous convictions against the company. It had been fined £500, with £50 costs, at Neath in March 1991, and at Newport in January 1990 it was fined £850 with £90 costs.
The magistrates fined the company £1,300 and ordered it to pay £175 prosecution costs.
Three of the company's drivers also appeared before the magistrates.
Evan Evans, of Newport, was fined £100 with £25 costs after admitting two offences of failing to take the required break after 4-1 hours driving.
Peter Salmon, of Haybrook Hill, Gloucestershire, admitted falsifying a tachograph chart. He was fined £150 with £25 costs.
Steven Watkins, of Church Village, admitted a similar offence. He was fined £100 with £25 costs.