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Too few companies train drivers well, complains TC
Page 17
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Western Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown has expressed disquiet at the lack of driver training being carried out by a considerable number of transport companies.
He made the comments when 15 drivers employed by Yate-based JE Clarke & Co (Transport) appeared before him following convictions for drivers' hours and Cacho offences.
In June, 17 of the company's drivers pleaded guilty to various offences, including the falsification of tachograph records, before the North Avon Magistrates, They were fned varying amounts from £120 to £600 and were each ordered to pay prosecution costs of £70. As a result, the TC is considering taking action against their vocational driving licences.
Vehicle Inspectorate intelligence officer Ian Gould told the TC that an in-depth investigation was carried out last September when an examination of tachograph charts for a 13-week period revealed the offences.
"It seemed no systems analysis was used and drivers were asked to sign their records on a Saturday with no explanations given if there were any errors," he said.
For the drivers, Geoffrey Jones said that many of them had been with Clarke's for a considerable time. The offences related to failures to take statutory breaks, exceeding driving hours and, in some instances, missing mileage.
All the drivers agreed that they had previously not had any professional advice on the use of tachographs. However, they said that they had now been issued with tacho tracker devices which they found very helpful. They all agreed that on occasions, after parking up, they had driven their tractive units to find eating places.
Jones said that it was quite apparent that there had been a lack of formal training in the use of tachographs, with just one driver saying that he had had The TC is to announce his decisions in each case in writing.
He is also to consider what action to take against the company's 0-licence at a forthcoming Public Inquiry after its recent conviction at a two-day trial in June for permitting 23 of the drivers' hours offences.
The firm has already been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £10,523.