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Four drivers rack up 197 tacho offences
Page 25
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A MAINTENANCE investigation that revealed nearly 200 tachograph offences has led to a firm's 0-licence being cut from three vehicles to two, and suspended for seven days.
Oldbury-based Spice Hawk Steel Sections appeared before a Birmingham public inquiry run by West Midland Deputy Traffic Commissioner Tim Hayden.
Vehicle examiner Austin Jones told the inquiry that he carried out an investigation in November following the issue of an `S'-marked prohibition at annual test. The general condition of the vehicles was good. In the past five years, two immediate prohibitions had been issued, both being 'S' marked. The failure rate at annual test was 63.64% During a follow-up visit in April, the inspection records produced had instances of date discrepancies and mileages missing. Jones was concerned about safety records dated sometime after the inspection by the company's freelance mechanic Robert Gaunt. Asked why the inspection records were almost identical in condition and written in the same pen, Gaunt said that he made notes when doing the inspections then completed the records at a later date, using the pen in his folder He said the discrepancies were mistakes.
After examining records produced at the hearing, Jones said that he was satisfied with the systems now in place.
Traffic examiner Helen Key said an examination of 172 tachograph charts produced by the company revealed a significant amount of mileage missing. Four drivers had committed a total of 197 offences.
Director Kasha Gupta said that he had taken his eye off the ball due to personal and health problems He had lost faith in Gaunt, who had maintained the vehicles for 13 years, and had since employed a qualified mechanic part-time. Drivers had been written to asking for missing charts without success.
Andrew Gross said that he joined the company in February and was now in charge of transport.
In not revoking the licence, the DTC said that he could not recall a case where it had been a closer-run thing. The DTC required the firm to submit its inspection records to Vosa within seven days of the inspection for the next 12 months.