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Fifty Summonses Notice of Appeal A T Newport Police Court, last
Page 77
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Friday, 50 summonses were brought against a Newport firm and their employees for alleged offences in connection with drivers' hours and the keeping of records.
Messrs. John Freeguard and William G. Freeguard, trading as Messrs. Freeguard Bros., transport contractors, Newport, were • summoned on 32 counts; 22 for permitting more than 54 hours' continuous driving, one for permitting more than 11 hours' driving in 24 hours ; two for not ensuring more than nine hours' rest ; three for the use of unlicensed vehicles for hire and reward, and four for breaches of the records regulations. The remaining 18 summonses heard were against eight drivers for alleged excessive hours or records offences.
The Licensing Authority alleged that the firm had not exercised sufficient supervision over drivers.
A traffic-examiner witness, in crossexamination for the defence, admitted that the alleged offences referred to 1,098 man-days' work. In this period, four offences per vehicle might have been committed—nearly 5,000.
For Messrs. Freeguard, it was pointed out that they took every precaution against over-working and to ensure drivers securing time for rest and refreshment. They kept at Newport 12 relief drivers to take over trunk
vehicles. Some of the vehicles were hired from sub-contractors, and not only did the firm take precautions for their own drivers, but assisted the subcontractors and their employees in observing the law. They provided relief drivers for these vehicles.
Three cases against Messrs. Freeguard in respect of driving for more than 54 hours were dismissed, as also were the corresponding summonses against two drivers. Messrs. Freeguard were fined 21 on each charge of operating without licences (£3 in all).
In respect of a summons against the firm for allowing a Chepstow driver to drive continuously for • more than 51 hours, the jurisdiction of the court was Challenged. • • When the 'magistrates announced conviction and a fine of E1 and £3 3s. eosts, with a fine of 10s, on the driver, notice of appeal was immediately given. The other cases were adjourned.