LA Turns Down 'Accident' Plea
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APLEA that many of the 22 defects found on a short-wheelbase tipper after it had been stopped by the police were caused by an accident earlier in the day was turnecl down by the West Midland Licensing Authority, Mr. J. Else, sitting in Birmingham last week. He ordered the vehicle, on Contract A, to be suspended for one month.
The owner, Mr. J. W. Spearman, appeared at an inquiry under tection 178 of the Road Traffic Act. Mr. Else said the 'vehicle was prohibited after examination and a 0V9 was issued listing 22 items, including steering and brake defects, which showed that in the examiner's opinion the vehicle was in a shocking condition through neglect.
Mr. Spearman, of Rugeley, said he had two vehicles on Contract A licence and one on B. He maintained that none of the defects was dangerous and that the
majority of them had been caused a f hours before the vehicle was stopped the police on M6 by the lorry hitting kerb with some force on a'dual carnal way. He alleged that the steering clef was caused inadvertently by the vela examiner himself during his inspection,
The haulier admitted that the d before the hearing he had been fined £10 for defective brakes, £20 for clef tive steering and £25 for defective ligl and speedometer. A summons allegi a defective tyre was dismissed.
He produced evidence that he h spent £1,138 since May on the repair a maintenance of his three vehicles.
Mr. Else said that one of his offic had reported that the maintenance fac ties at Mr. Spearman's garage were got However, he could not accept that I disgraceful condition of the vehicle v caused by the accident.