Breaks cut for hospital visits
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• A lorry driver cut his regulation breaks from driving so he could dash back home and see his son, who was in hospital, West Bromwich magistrates heard.
Malcolm Seward, prosecuting for the Vehicle Inspectorate, told the magistrates that Cohn Need had taken only 20 minutes rest during a six-hour driving shift.
Seward said the offence came to light during an inspection at the Perry Barr lorry park off the M6 at Birmingham in September last year.
Need of Park Grove, Water Orton, Birmingham, was fined 1250 with £65 costs for driving in excess of 4.5 hours without taking the mandatory break.
The case was proved in Need's absence.
"When asked why he had not taken his full break, Need said his son was in hospital following an accident and that he needed to get back home as soon as possible to visit him," said Seward. "Need also claimed that he was not used to long-distance lorry driving."