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Confusion led to rest charge

11th June 1992, Page 14
11th June 1992
Page 14
Page 14, 11th June 1992 — Confusion led to rest charge
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Invernessbased lorry driver William Spark was given a conditional dis charge for 12 months, after pleading guilty before West Bromwich magistrates to one offence of failing to take sufficient daily rest.

Spark had pleaded not guilty to two such offences on an earlier occasion. The prosecution offered no evidence in relation to the second offence after he changed his plea to guilty on the first.

Defending, Michael Carless said that Spark was not a criminal but had fallen into the same trap as many drivers, in that he was guilty of not taking at least nine hours rest within 24 hours of starting driving.

He, and many other drivers, did not stop and commence their rest period far enough short of the end of the 24-hour period in order to comply with the regulations, even though the actual rest period was longer than the required nine hours. The offence was an example of the confusion that existed in the minds of drivers.

The magistrates ordered Spark to pay £50 towards the costs of the prosecution.


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