Hours offender sent down for eight months
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AS THE DEBATE over the punishment for drivers’ hours offences continues, a truck driver has been sentenced to eight months in prison for 79 offences of creating false drivers’ hours records. Ipswich Crown Court was told how Jasvinder Arora, who traded as Ocean Xpress Logistics, was involved in general haulage in and out of the port of Felixstowe.
A Vosa investigation discovered that on one occasion, Arora drove for 24 hours without proper rest, while on another he had driven continuously for 18 hours. Arora, from Feltham, created a false name to make it appear as though someone else had been driving, and removed the tachograph chart. He pleaded guilty to 79 offences of creating false drivers’ hours records.
Sentencing, his Honour Judge Goodin told Arora that a truck could be a “lethal weapon” in the hands of a tired driver. “Despite being stopped and [receiving a warning from Vosa] you still continued driving.” Last week the Road Haulage Association (RHA) was forced to modify its stance over the call for mandatory prison sentences for those flouting drivers’ hours laws, after the United Road Transport Union called for the role of employers to be considered. RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning says those who commit such offences are undermining the livelihoods of drivers who comply with the law. “A few extra hours on the road has cost this driver eight months in prison. This case must be used as an example.” Vosa operations director Heather Cruikshank says: “Tired drivers are dangerous drivers. Not taking enough rest can lead to serious accidents and that’s why the rules are in place.”