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Driver didn't notice obvious faults

16th September 1999
Page 20
Page 20, 16th September 1999 — Driver didn't notice obvious faults
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Keywords : Car Safety

A West Yorkshire operator, said to have been let down by his driver when his only vehicle received a prohibition, has increased his licence to four vehicles.

Bingley-based Wayne Priestley was called to a Leeds disciplinary hearing before North Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner Brian Homer. The authorisation was also being considered at the hearing.

Vehicle examiner Charles Bolt said that in April Priestley's vehicle had received an immediate prohibition for a significant maintenance failure. Defects included loose wheelnuts, a defective tyre, an air leak and loose suspen sion bolts. The vehicle was regularly maintained by an outside contractor, with inspections every six weeks. The vehicle worked in quarries and he had advised Priestley that vehicles on this type of work should be inspected every four weeks. The defects found were indicative of the type of work being undertaken and he felt that the defects should have been obvious to the driver.

Gary Hodgson, for Priestley, said the driver had been given a warning and was no longer employed. The inspection period had been reduced immediately following the examiner's advice.

Bolt agreed that all the ingredients of a satisfactory maintenance system were there and Priestley had basically been let down by the driver.

Caroline Wilkinson said she had agreed to take on the responsibility as Priestley's transport manager. The intention was to operate two vehicles with a two-vehicle margin so they could cope with seasonal increases by hiring in.

Hodgson said Priestley was a relatively new haulage operator with no previous experience. He had employed an experienced driver and his previous transport manager had advised a six-week inspection period.

Taking no action other than to issue a warning, and granting the increase, the Deputy IC said he had been particularly concerned about the loose wheelnuts. However, he was reassured by the fact that the new transport manager had introduced new systems.


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