MAP drivers tacho fines
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• Three drivers employed by Skelmersdalebased MAP Refrigerated Distributors were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £755 last week when they admitted a series of drivers' hours and tachograph offences before the Ormskirk Magistrates, after corresponding charges against the company were dropped by the prosecution.
The drivers were Philip Jefferson, of Wigan, fined £110 for 11 offences of excessive hours and insufficient rest; Christopher Hassey, of Ainsdale, fined £165 for three offences of falsifying tachograph charts and nine of excessive hours and insufficient rest; and Henry Moorcroft, of Scansbrick, fined £310 for eight offences of falsifying charts and 16 of excessive hours and insufficient rest. They were each ordered to pay £50 towards prosecution costs.
The company was accused of causing false tachograph records to be made and of using vehicles when the drivers had exceeded the hours limits and taken insufficient rest. However, the prosecution indicated that it did not propose to proceed because of evidential difficulties.
Defending, John Backhouse said that the drivers had gained nothing from the offences. Hassey had falsified charts in order to use his vehicle t9 visit his girlfriend. Moorcroft had been in the habit of taking his trailer into the customer's premises so he could be first in the queue, and then going for breakfast while it was unloaded, without recording that journey.
The drivers had been warned by the company when infringements were picked up. Since the offences, the drivers concerned had "got it right".