Truck was inherited with the company
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_ Stuart Badley's _1 . ' single vehicle was described as "an _accident waiting to happen" when he appeared before West Midland Traffic Commissioner David Dixon.
• Badley, of Wolverhampton, who trades as Block Paving Contractors, was granted a two-vehicle restricted licence in December 1999. Vehicle examiner Andrew Cattail told the inquiry he had imposed an immediate prohibition on the vehicle in July for four defects which were clearly of long standing. The brake fluid chamber for the front half of the split braking system was empty, and the fluid for the rear was below minimum. A wheel arch was badly rusted, the wing was about to fall off and there was excessive play in the steering.
Cattell said the vehicle was in a satisfactory condition at a maintenance investigation in October. Maintenance was being contracted out and the records were satisfactory. Agreeing Badley was "not totally a lost cause", Cattell said: "He has recognised the danger and taken steps to put matters right."
Badley said when he bought the business in November 1999 the truck came with it. This was the first time he had operated large goods vehicles, and he had not realised the rules were so strict. "It kind of knocked me sick a bit, and it is all done properly now," he added.
Taking no action, the TC said the VI believed he had learned his lesson, and most people were allowed one mistake.