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Fleet expansion is cited as reason for tacho offences

20th July 2000, Page 9
20th July 2000
Page 9
Page 9, 20th July 2000 — Fleet expansion is cited as reason for tacho offences
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111 by Pete &ilk*ler

A bather which is "just making ends meet" while expanding its fleet was fined £900 by Worcester magistrates last week for breaching the drivers' hours rules.

David Curnock of Claines, Worcester, was accused by Lee Trubshaw, prosecuting for the Vehicle Inspectorate, of not fulfilling its obligations after he said one driver drove more than 10 hours on several occasions without taking the required rest.

Cu mock admitted nine charges involving drivers failing to take enough rest and was ordered to pay £300 costs in addition to the fine.

Paul Watson of Manor Lana, Halesowen, was fined ,2600 with 1100 costs after admitting nine charges of failing to take enough rest and ore charge of making a false tachograph entry.

Joseph Derrick of Broom Crescent, Kidderminster, was fined £450 with £100 costs after admitting three charges of making a false tachograph entry.

Both drivers were employed by Carnock.

Trubshaw said the offences came to light when Vehicle Inspectorate officials inspected 156 tachograph records at the firm.

Guy James, defending, denied the firm had not informed drivers about driving hours but admitted they had "not got it right".

He said the firm was formed 10 years ago and had increased its fleet of lorries from four to 14 since 1996.

"The company is at present buying five more new lorries and six new trailers and because of this expansion net profits last year were only £7,000," he said. "This year the profits are likely to be even less."

James told the court that the company was just about making ends meet but had suspended one driver and had introduced new policies to improve the situation regarding driving hours and rest periods.


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