Chart check leads to huge hours fines
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• by Sally Nash A routine check spiralled into massive fines of £54,000 for transport firm Cyril Knowles and £26,850 between 23 of its drivers for breaching drivers' hours rules.
The Vehicle inspectorate prosecuted Cyril Knowles— whose registered office is in West Thurrock, Essex—after a routine check of one of the company's vehicles in Folkestone. The VI discovered that one of the company's drivers had interfered with the tachograph and speed limiter.
The case was referred to the VI's area office in South Wales where Cyril Knowles has an 0licence and runs an operating centre. An in-depth investigation of almost 2,000 tachograph charts led to more than 900 summonses for drivers' hours and tachograph offences.
Cwmbran magistrates court heard that the company had contravened European regulations by paying drivers for each mile driven.
Dennis Beale, the VI's area manager for South Wales, says: 'Drivers' hours enforcement is a very important part of our work and we are determined to take action against operators and dryers who do not comply with the regulations and put road safety at risk."