TC makes an exception
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
1 • North Eastern Traffic Cornmissioner Keith Waterworth has
reminded an owner-driver that he is governed by the exactly same rules as larger fleet operators.
When Sheffield owner-driver Paul Stocks appeared at a Leeds disciplinary inquiry, vehicle examiner Norman White said that when Stocks' vehicle was examined in February it was given a prohibition for a defective front brake. In April it was given an immediate prohibition at a roadside check for a defective load-sensing valve.
The stated inspection period was six weeks but the records indicated that months had elapsed between inspections.
White felt that Stocks had adopted a complacent attitude towards vehicle maintenance, despite a previous warning. Traffic examiner Anne Devlin said that an examination of Stocks' tachograph records for June 1997-April 1998 revealed a number of drivers' hours offences, some of which could not be prosecuted because they were out of time.
For Stocks, Gary Hodgson said that he had pleaded guilty before Sheffield magistrates to five offences of driving for four-and-ahalf hours without the required break, exceeding the daily driving limit and taking insufficient daily rest. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 costs.
Devlin agreed that she had examined around 160 charts. She felt the offences were caused by a lack of understanding and pressure of business.
Stocks said he now had a forward planner showing inspection dates, and had signed a new maintenance contract. He had obtained a tachograph chart checker and had arranged to send his charts out for professional analysis every three months.
At the time the offences were committed he had been under a lot of presWaterworth: Gave owner-driver final warning.
sure from customers to deliver on time. The offences had not been intentional; he had not even known that he had gone over the hours limits.
The TC commented that the drivers' hours rules were there for Stocks' own good. The rules were very lenient as they stood and Stocks must not go beyond them.
Accepting arguments about the effect of a suspension on a one-vehicle operator, Waterworth said that he was prepared to make an exception and give Stocks a final warning.