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Cut for runaway truck

23rd July 1998, Page 18
23rd July 1998
Page 18
Page 18, 23rd July 1998 — Cut for runaway truck
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• A Tyneside tipper operator has had its licence cut from 20 vehicles and six trailers to 17 vehicles and three trailers after one of its vehicles ran away down a hill and collided with two cars, seriously injuring a passenger.

North Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner Mark Hinchliffe said that if the brakes' condition had been due to neglect he would have had no

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hesitation in revoking the licence held by George Vardy of Houghton-leSpring. Following the accident the company was fined after pleading guilty to a brakes offence; the fine was reduced to £2,500 on appeal.

Vehicle examiner Gary Walker said the accident happened in April 1997. When the tipper was checked, a corroded rear-axle brake drum was found. Service brake performance was down to 22% and Walker maintained the driver must have been aware of this defect.

Nine vehicles were examined in April leading to one delayed prohibition and six defect notices, he added. Though there had been an improvement in the company's maintenance standards since the accident, further improvement was required. The nearside rear brake on a vehicle given an immediate prohibition in May was inoperative with a gap between the lining and the drum.

Questioned by Gary Hodgson, for the company, Walker said the brake defects on the crashed tipper could have arisen since it was inspected three weeks before. He agreed none of the brake components had been stripped to establish the problem and confirmed the brake linings were not excessively worn and the brake actuator had been working.

Director George Vardy said the recent prohibition had arisen because the anchor point of the shoe had come away. The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident had reported that the brakes needed adjustment 13 days previously and they had been adjusted. Vardy felt there had been a great deal of driver error as the truck would have stopped if it had been driven down the hill in the right gear.

Cutting the licence, Hinchliffe said driver error may or may not have played a part but responsibility could not be shifted on to the driver when the braking efficiency was so deplorable.


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