Haulier fined for
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Using a defective vehicle has cost Powys haulier David Pugh PATO and three penalty points on his driving licence. Pugh pleaded guilty before the Wrexham magistrates to two offences of using a vehicle with defective tyres, three of using it with defective brakes and one of using it when the condition of the chassis was likely to cause danger.
Prosecuting for the Vehicle Inspectorate, Peter Edwards reported that a Volvo artic laden with grain was stopped during a roadside check in April. The tread depths of the tyres on the offside and nearside of the front axle were below the legal limit. The efficiency of the service brakes of both the tractor arid the semi trailer failed to meet the minimum requirement, as did the efficiency of the trailer parking brake. The semi trailer main frame chassis member was fractured and detachment was imminent.
When asked why he was using a tractor unit and trailer in such a condition, Pugh had replied: "I was just trying to earn some money." lie admitted that he had become aware of the tyres the previous week, saying: We bought quite a few tyres last month and I just wanted to spread the cost out a little bit this month."
Questioned about the semi trailer chassis, Pugh said a plate had been welded in when it started to crack a few weeks previously. It had started to crack again a week or so before and he intended to put a plate on both sides to see if that would cure it.
Asked why the braking system had not been maintained in a fit and proper condition, Pugh said: l just let it lapse, probably due to just trying to work and earn some money."
The magistrates fined Pugh MOD with £70 costs.