Lost wheel info needed
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• A transport expert is to survey hauliers fined for losing truck wheels in a bid to gather evidence which could be used to help other operators charged with similar offences.
Consultant Stan Thomas, writing in Commercial Motor this week (page 26), says he wants to find out how much hauliers are penalised in various parts of the country.
Although hauliers must by law be blamed absolutely for losing a wheel, a court's decision can range from "total exoneration to a severe fine" for driver and company, he says, and this can "jeopardise an 0licence renewal". Magistrates, however, are swayed by precedents of past judgements, he adds, and if these could be collated "in tangible form" they could be cited in mitigation by any operator charged with a lost-wheel-related offence.
Thomas wants hauliers to send him full details of lostwheel cases, including an outline of the circumstances, vehicle make, model and GVW, with the name of the court, the date and the penalty. He will publish his general findings, but says all specific information will be treated in confidence.
Thomas can be contacted on (078571) 3862.