Firm failed to train drivers
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It A Birmingham haulage firm and 22 of its drivers were fined a total of 1,3,200 by Solihull magistrates last week on a total of 180 breaches of driving regulations.
Witten-based Chambers 4i. Cook Freight was fined 11,000 with £550 costs after admitting 86 charges of permitting its drivers not to take the required rest periods .
The drivers were each fined £100 with £30 costs on a total of 85 charges of failing to take the necessary breaks and nine offences involving the misuse of tachograph records. The offences took place between January and March this year; the drivers admitted all the charges.
David James, prosecuting for the Vehicle inspectorate, said: "Some drivers had been driving for as long as 13 and 14 successive days without having sufficient rest.
'It was revealed that the drivers had not been trained by the firm as to how much rest they should take while driving or given full instructions about the tachographs," said James.
"They were simply left to get on with the job and there was no evidence to suggest that the firm checked the tachograph records," he added.
Andrew Fletcher, representing the firm, told the court that Chambers & Cook regretted what had happened, "New policies have now been introduced and full training has been given to all drivers about their rest periods and the tachograph records," he said.