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Light vehicle 'sins can prejudice 0 licence•

19th March 1971, Page 15
19th March 1971
Page 15
Page 15, 19th March 1971 — Light vehicle 'sins can prejudice 0 licence•
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• A reminder that infringements of the law with light commercial vehicles can affect an operator's licence, even though the vehicles are not specified on that licence, was provided recently by a case before the Scottish Licensing Authority, Mr. A. B. Birnie, sitting in Aberdeen. Mr Birnie commented that the case was the first of its kind in Scotland, and remarked that its implications should be known to every holder of an operator's licence.

Joe Little Ltd, fish processor, had been called before the, LA to show why the operator's licence for its heavy vehicle, based at Fraserburgh, should not be suspended or revoked. The offences did not concern the heavy vehicle but related to two cases of overloading of the company's light vans. The overloadings amounted respectively to 47 per cent and 64 per cent and Mr Birnie said he regarded overloading to this extent to be a serious danger to the public.

"I can't take away your van licence," said Mr Birnie, "because you don't have one, but when you come to renew your operator's licence for the larger vehicle I am required to take notice of any relevant convictions or prohibitions in respect of the smaller vehicles and I can call you to show cause why your operator's licence should not be withdrawn or suspended."

For the company, Mr Frank Connon explained that the drivers were allowed three hours in the afternoon to make seven separate calls for the collection of mink food. They had tried to do this in less time than allowed, in order to have more spare time for themselves. All drivers had now been warned that overloading would result in dismissal. The firm, said Mr Cannon, had a clean operating record and if the heavy vehicle were taken off the road both the driver and the fish buyer at Fraserburgh would lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

Mr Birnie said that, although the firm's manager had clearly not known all the implications, it was with great hesitation that he decided not to inflict a penalty. He made this decision only because the firm had a good record and this was the first case of the kind that he had dealt with.

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Locations: Aberdeen

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