Large Fines for P.M.T. and Drivers
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Potteries Motor Traction Co., ., and three of their drivers were iore than £77 at the Stoke-oniagistrates court last Friday. The .5( pleaded guilty to permitting . to drive for long periods without ssary rest intervals. The drivers, Henshall, Trafalgar Street, James Thomas Jones, Scott ittle Chef], Tunstall, and Horace Buxton Street, Sneyd Green, n-Trent, also pleaded guilty.
cluing, Mr. V. A. McKnight said the drivers had been on duty for without a break, during the last bank holiday week-end. P.M.T. Jensed to operate express services he Potteries to Lowestoft and Yarmouth, leaving Tun stall at en. Two drivers always left with, oath, but received no specific ions regarding their actual duties. hall, Jones and Davies had all igaged on this service and had coaches to the East Coast and Shout a proper rest.
rne occasion Henshall had been for nearly 24 hours. When one: drivers was " spare " and d as a passenger, he was at resting properly contended Mr. McKnight.. If a man was fatigued he could be a danger to other road users, especially when roads were crowded.
Mr, J. Rees, defending, said it had been the intention of P.M.T. to send two drivers on every journey to the East Coast. One was supposed to drive on the outward journey whilst the other travelled as a passenger, and when returning their positions should be reversed.
The discrepancies were only a technical infringement of the regulations laid down by the Road Traffic Act. However, in future careful instructions would be given to drivers.
• The • Potteries _ Stipendiary Magistrate, Mr. GeSmallwood, did not consider there had been technical infringement of the regulations. . If a man travelled in a coach for a long period, even when not driving, he became fatigued. A rest taken off the road was necessary. The public had to be protected and some experienced drivers had to be protected from themselves.
He fined Henshall and Davies E8 3s. each and Jones £.6 3s. P.M.T. were fired £55 and asked to pay 10s. costs and 21 guineas advocate's fee.