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P CASE THREE

16th July 2009, Page 23
16th July 2009
Page 23
Page 23, 16th July 2009 — P CASE THREE
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Keywords : Tachograph, Batey

'Sloppy' operator banned for five years

CONVICTIONS FOR suspected tachograph fiddling and evidence that drivers were not supervised ave led to an operator being taken if road for five years.

Bishop Auckland international haulier Andrew Batey was disqualified from holding or obtaining an 0-licence for five years following the revocation of his licence after achograph interrupter switches ,,ere found in two of his vehicles. Batey, trading as FBT Intemaonal, held a licence for five vehiles and seven trailers. He had been called before North Eastern DepuTraffic Commissioner Elizabeth rrett.

She heard that after the switches were found Batey was fined £700, with £1,665 costs, on two charges of having unauthorised devices in the vehicles. An examination of tachograph records and fuel receipts showed there were fuel withdrawals for which there were no corresponding tachograph records.

Mileage was missing between the tachograph charts on either side of the receipts There were also entries on weekly running sheets for which there were no corresponding tachograph records.

Batey denied any knowledge of the interrupter switches. He said he employed many casual drivers at the weekends, paying them cash. He did not have all their addresses (CM 4 June).

In her decision, the DTC said she felt there was much she had not been told. Andrew Batey had worked for his father, Frank, whose licence was revoked in 2005. She considered the way the operation was supervised was sloppy and uncoordinated. A reputable operator would have moved heaven and earth to get to the bottom of the installation and use of the devices.

She was told that the two main customers contacted the drivers direct to inform them of the work required. That meant that Batey had no idea of what his drivers were doing and when. Why was one driver taking tablets and drinking Red Bull to assist him staying awake? Did Batey know?, And if he did not, why not?

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Locations: Auckland

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