Two companies used one driver
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A truck driver who worked for a second employer on his rest days without using his tachograph has had his HGV licence suspended for a week.
Thomas Patterson, of West End, Churnside, was called before Scottish Traffic Commissioner Michael Betts following two speeding offences and a Vehicle Inspectorate report that there were no tachograph records available for for two days' driving in November.
The TC said the VI report indicated that on those days Patterson, who was employed by Drysdale Freight, had driven for MK Drysdale. This meant he had gone without his weekly rest and possibly his fortnightly break. He was paid cash. For Patterson, Alastair Mackie said he had originally been employed by R&K Drysdale, a company set up by brothers Robin and Kim Drysdale.
About three years ago Robin Drysdale gave up his interest in R&K and set up Drysdale Freight, taking over the vehicle Patterson was driving and his employment. Drysdale Freight was a major subcontractor to R&K Drysdale, which operated one vehicle and subcontracted other work.
At the time Patterson had financial difficulties, mainly due to repairs to the roof of his house, said Mackie. He was given
the opportunity to do some extra work by R&K Drysdale and succumbed to the temptation to earn some extra money.
Both speeding offences involved a CV and were committed at the same place within a week of each other.
Patterson said he had been paid roil a day and used the money to pay for oar repairs. He agreed drivers' hours and tachograph rules were there for safety reasons.
The TC said Patterson had known the rules perfectly well. He hoped the suspension would make him think twice about doing something similar in the future.