Hindle warned to pay fines at once
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• Disciplinary action would be taken against operators who did not immediately pay fines in full, because it was an indication that they had insufficient finance. It was not a club in which they could pay as they went along, warned North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Keith Waterworth when Ian and
1K ,,trina IIindle, trading as Hindles 'fransport, of Hartlepool, appeared LLL a Leeds disciplinary inquiry. The Hindles held a licence for four vehicles.
far Hindle said that he was clue back in court because fines totalling £900 for unauthorised use and permitting a driver to Lake insufficient daily rest had not been paid. Waterworth insisted they were paid immediately. In his view, a haulier who was running four vehicles and could not pay £900 was in severe financial difficulty, Ile required written confirmation within 14 days.
Vehicle examiner Martin Usher said that since December 1996 three immediate and three delayed prohibitions had been issued to the firnt's vehicles. On three occasions variation notices were issued listing further defects when vehicles were produced for clearance.
For the firm, Andrew Richards said it was currently operating four vehicles. The maintenance had initially been contracted out but the firm became increasingly aware of deficiencies in that work. One vehicle was given an immediate prohibition for a seriously cracked brake disc the same day it had been released by the contractor after a service and inspection. The maintenance was now in-house with a commercial garage auditing on one vehicle every three months.
The conviction for the unauthorised use of a vehicle arose in November 1996 after application had been made for interim authority for additional 'vehicles and Tan Hindle had thought it was all right to start operating them, said Richards.
Suspending one vehicle from the licence for a month, Waterworth said he felt that it was appropriate to take disciplinary action.