Inadequate systems overlooked speeding
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Running three vehicles with defective speed limiters has cost a North Yorkshire firm more than £4,000 in fines and costs.
Selby Storage & Distribution pleaded guilty to 12 speed limiter offences when it appeared before the Selby magistrates. It was ordered to pay £3,600 with 2505 costs.
A further six charges of permitting drivers to exceed 4,X hours driving with
out taking the required break were withdrawn by the prosecution.
Richard Wadkin, prosecuting for the Vehicle Inspectorate, told the court that speeding HGVs was an area of particular concern.
He said that the firm's problem appeared to be a long-standing one which only came to light after the examination of tachograph records for an entire month.
A subsequent check of one of the vehicles showed that the limiter had been disconnected and speeds up to 100km/h had been recorded in two of the vehicles, with one reaching 120km/h.
David Chant, appearing for the company, said it had not been aware that the speed limiters were defective—neither the tachograph analysis agency nor the company's drivers had reported limiter problems. It had now changed its systems, he added.
"This is a young company and its sys
tems were not effective enough," sa Chant. "It was not a deliberate attempt 1 defeat the system."
Fining the company, the magistratE said the offences highlighted that it ha not had adequate systems in place.
Two of the company's driver pleaded guilty to 4X-hour drivir offences. David Elcock, of Barlby, wa fined 2150 for one offence with £7 costs; David King, of Snaith, was fine 1180 for three offences, with £70 cost: