LA gets his man...
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• Newport lorry driver Howard Smith, who was seen driving at an excessive speed by South Wales Licensing Authority Ronald Jackson while he was travelling between Birmingham and South Wales, has had his HGV driving licence revoked at a Cardiff public enquiry.
Jackson said that following the incident in September of last year, when he had travelled behind Smith's lorry, he ordered a check on his tachograph charts. This revealed that on eleven occasions Smith's tachograph had registered sustained speeds of between 113129km/h (77 and 80mph) on motorways and A class roads.
Admitting driving at an excessive speed and other road traffic offences between 1983 and 1986 Smith said that he had 'geared up' to the company he worked for, as he was paid by the number of trips that he did.
Jackson said that he had no hesitation in revoking Smith's licence in view of his conduct. He was not fit to hold an HGV driving licence. He viewed offences involving heavy goods vehicles more seriously than did magistrates, IIGV drivers were professionals and should be a cut above other drivers.
They had to reach a high standard to obtain a licence and that standard would be maintained at all times.