Licences under threat over hours
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• Drivers hours and tachograph offences led to North Western Traffic Commissioner Martin Albu considering taking action against the LGV driving licences held by Oldham haulier Brett Hampson, trading as I3&J Haulage, and six of his drivers.
At an earlier hearing the LA decided to take no action against Hampson's 0-licence, which authorises 10 vehicles and 14 trailers. (CM1-7 April)
Albu said that tachograph offences were serious matters, creating danger to both the drivers themselves and other people on the road. The regulations also provided a fair level playing field for the transport industry. Not only did the offences put the drivers themselves at risk but they also harmed the industry as a whole.
Hampson said that he had personally been convicted of offences in relation to a double manned journey. The driving was perfectly legal but it was not recorded as double manned due to an oversight Taking no action other than to issue a formal warning, Albu said that though he was not happy he would accept it as a "one off". He told Hampson that his business and livelihood depended upon his ability to drive, and if there were any further offences it could be the end of his licence.
The other driver on the journey concerned, David Goodhand, of Royton, was also given a formal warning.
Peter Hewson, of Shaw, admitted interfering with his tachograph on occasions when he had been held up. He said that it had cost him C450 and he suffered one weeks suspension without pay.
Recording a warn ing„Albu said that one more incident and Hewson's licence would be in jeopardy The Commissioner said that John Goulden, of Royton, had been prosecuted for failing to write his name on a tachograph chart. Goulden said that he had been away from home all week and he just wanted to get home. He removed the chart from his tachograph and put another one Hampson suspended him for two weeks for the offence. He had also been prosecuted for two daily rest offences, one weekly rest offence and one double manning offence.
Recording a warning, Albu said that they were serious matters and he hoped Goulden had learnt his lesson.
Brian Shaw Senior and Brian Shaw Junior, both of Chadderton, were convicted in June 1992 of taking insufficient weekly rests. John Coleman, of Royton, was convicted at the same time of failing to take daily and weekly rest and failing to use a tachograph. Each received a formal warning.