Harris drivers face tack) allegations
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• A driver at Frank Harris Coaches was accused of being on duty for more than 60 hours in three days when the company appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on a series of tachograph charges.
FHC transport manager Frank Douglas Harris and 10 of the company's drivers pleaded not guilty to 15 specimen charges covering 35 tachograph charts, The alleged offences were uncovered after police raided the West Thurrock, Essex-based firm in March 1989. Prosecuting, Tony Abell claimed that analysis of the charts showed that one driver had put the wrong date on a chart to hide the fact he had been on duty for 61 hours over three days. He was accused of breaking the law by taking his daily rest in the bunk while his colleague drove.
Abell also claimed that on another of the 25 journeys under scrutiny, the tacho showed the coach was being driven while a written entry indicated the two drivers were resting for 3i hours. He said there was a difference of 413km between the distances "clocked" on the chart and the written record.
The trial is expected to last eight weeks.