Haulier knew about defects
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Taking out a vehicle known to have serious defects has led to Stan
Price Haulage's twovehicle/two-trailer 0-licence being suspended for four weeks.
John Price and David Pugh, partners of the Churchstoke. Powys-based firm, had been called before West Midland Traffic Commissioner David Dixon in Hereford.
Traffic examiner Geoffrey Whitley said that last April a 38-tonne artic driven by David Pugh was found to have two tyres with no tread, brake defects and extensive fractures in the chassis members. Pugh had admitted he was aware of the state of the tyres, but had wanted to spread the cost of replacing them over several months. lie also admitted he had known about the trailer chassis members. Wrexham magistrates had fined him £400.
Following the issue of two immediate prohibitions last April showing significant maintenance defects, vehicle examiner Derek Williams carried out a maintenance investigation in November. Although two vehicles and trailers were in a satisfactory condition, few inspection records were available, and there was no written driver defect reporting system.
John Price argued that the company did not take shortcuts over maintenance, and had spent more than £20,000 on the two vehicles last year. They had known the tyres needed changing, but a new vehicle was about to be delivered. It was unfortunate...we don't usually run like that," he added.
The IC commented that it was one of the worst prohibitions he had seen. Suspending the licence, he added that he had seriously considered revoking the licence.
"Mr Pugh, in my view, was utterly irresponsible in taking the vehicle out," Dixon concluded. "It could easily have resulted in an accident causing injury to other people, or even death."