Appeal halves overload fine
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Stratford-based DOS London has had a fine imposed for an axle overload halved on appeal to Snaresbrook Crown Court. Barking magistrates had fined the company £1,000 with £80 costs for a first-axle overload. Anthony Ostrin, appearing for the Vehicle Inspectorate, said that in October 2001 a twoaxled white box van belonging to the company and carrying waste paper was stopped in a weight check. The first axle was found to be overloaded by 14%.
Managing director Beverley Taylor said the weighbridge on which they normally check-weighed their vehicles had been closed down on the day concerned and the company had relied upon the drivers to distribute the loads properly. In this case that had not been done.
Cutting the fine to £500, Judge Pitts said the load had clearly been badly distributed but that was rectified after the driver had been stopped by rearranging the pallets. In all the circumstances the court fen that a £1,000 fine was excessive.