Rescue combi too long
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• A recovery vehicle operator and his drivers may appeal after being convicted of a number of offences while they were recovering a brokendown artic.
Leslie Ruffles had denied using a vehicle which exceeded the permitted length and when the direction indicators and stop lamps were not working. John Kardos, a partner in Kardos Car & Commercial Services, also denied permitting Ruffles' offences.
PC Michael Gear told Lyndhurst magistrates that he had seen a vehicle combination on the M27 which appeared overlength. It consisted of a Scania recovery vehicle pulling on suspended tow a Leyland Daf which was drawing a trailer.
The combination was measured at 28.5m, as against the 25.9m maximum permitted. The direc tion indicators were not working and nor did the brake lights when the vehicle stopped, although they did when Ruffles braked.
Kardos said Thames Valley Police had told him that he could tow vehicles without notification if he was taking them to their destination or for repair. Ruffles had been supplied with the lighting equipment and spares to carry out any repairs.
Ruffles said the brake lights were working, but there was a time lag before they came on because the brakes were operated by the Sunnia through a connection to the Leyland Daf.
He was travelling at only 20mph on an incline when the police pulled him over. He stopped by using the exhaust brake. The direction indicators had been connected at the start of the journey but they began to short out and he decided it was safer to disconnect them.
Chris Butterfield, defending, said that, because this was a broken-down vehicle on tow, there was no need for it or its trailer to be fitted with indicators or brake lights. He said one policeman alone could not prove the length.
The magistrates dismissed the lighting charges against Kardos but found both defendants guilty of the other offences. Kardos was given an absolute discharge and Ruffles was fined £150. Both had to pay £50 costs.