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Fleet halved for three days because of failure to monitor maintenance
Page 30
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A COMPANY THAT failed to monitor the work of its maintenance contractor or its drivers tachograph records has had its fleet halved to two vehicles for three days.
Smethwick-based DF Logistics Solutions, which has a four-vehicle licence, had been called before West Midland DeputyTraffic Commissioner Fiona Harrington.
Vehicle examiner Austin Jones said he carried out a maintenance investigation in March following the issue of an S-marked prohibition for serious brake defects and a cracked windscreen. He had examined two vehicles and issued a delayed prohibition. A variation and refusal-to-clear notice was issued before that prohibition was removed.
There was a 75% initial failure rate at annual test, and one vehicle was issued with an 5marked immediate prohibition. A number of prohibitions had been issued at the roadside within days of vehicles being inspected and signed off as roadworthy so the ability of the maintenance contractor was in question.
The DTC said a traffic examiner reported that analysis of tachograph records revealed two 41/2-hour driving offences: 1,485km were unrecorded (8% of the total); and on three occasions a vehicle not authorised on the licence was used.
Director and transport manager Lee Ford said they had now acquired tachograph analysis equipment and 50% of the charts were checked; breaches were brought to the attention of drivers. Vehicle maintenance problems arose after switching maintenance contractors but a new lirrn had been appointed.
Cutting the licence to two vehicles for three days, the DTC said failure to monitor the maintenance had led to a serious situation regarding roadworthiness