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Overloaded, no tacho, wrong licence... and a big fine
Page 29
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AN AXLE overload, failing to use a tachograph, and driving without the correct driving licence have cost Northampton-based Perco Engineering Services and one of its drivers £605 in fines and costs.
When the company appeared before the Isle of Anglesey magistrates it pleaded guilty to exceeding the permitted first axle weight, failing to use tachograph charts, using an unqualified driver and using a vehicle without insurance.
The driver of the vehicle, Gareth Barnfield, admitted similar offences.
Traffic examiner Geoffrey Whitley said the 7.5tonne vehicle, laden with plant and machinery, was on a journey between Dundalk and Northampton when it was stopped in a check at Dalar Hir on the Isle of Anglesey. Its permitted first axle weight of 3,400kg had been exceeded by 1,130kg (33.2%), When asked to produce his tachograph record for the journey Barnfield said he had not used one. An examination of his driving licence showed that he was only qualified to drive vehicles in classes B and Bl— not the 7.5-tonner's Cl category When questioned about the driver's failure to use the tachograph. the company's MD, Gary Houghton had said there was no excuse:the company had simply failed to give the driver the charts to use.
He confirmed that Barnfield had received no formal training in respect of the drivers' hours and tachograph rules.
He had claimed that he was unaware Barnfield did not hold the appropriate driving licence and explained that everyone at the company had assumed he was entitled to drive a 7.5-tonner.
The magistrates fined the company £350 with £85 costs. Barnfield was fined £100 with £70 costs and his driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.