Haulier failed to control drivers
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Llpirgil A Cumbrian haulier with an "endemic lack of control over its drivers has had its ; Operator's Licence almost halved by North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell.
G Alderson & Sons (Appleby) and five of its drivers appeared before the TC at a Lancaster disciplinary inquiry.
Traffic examiner Keith Smith that he had analysed 219 tachograph charts relating to nine vehicles and found that various offences had been committed by 15 of the company's drivers.
These included: taking insufficient rest and breaks; exceeding the daily driving limit; instances of missing mileage; and a number of incidents involving the falsification of charts. There was also an apparent Instance of the speed stylus being bent back and another where the tachograph was clearly faulty. Director and transport manager David Alderson said that the practice had been to check the tachograph charts visually when they were handed in by the drivers, but accepted that this was not adequate.
Admitting that the company had been aware that drivers had been convicted of drivers' hours offences as far back as 1997, Alderson told the TC: "I agree we should have done something earlier. We have let ourselves down by being a bit lax in the paperwork sometimes."
Cutting the licence from 21 vehicles and 21 trailers to 12 vehicles and 12 trailers with a further three vehicles being suspended for six weeks, the TC said that Aidersons should have been on notice there was a problem over drivers' hours as long ago as May 1997. It had been lackadaisical and the lack of control over drivers seemed to be endemic, she said.
"Sadly there is a culture among drivers that the falsification of tachograph charts is not serious," she commented. "I on the other hand regard it as very serious and I want to send a message to drivers that I will not countenance falsification."
Two of the drivers Lost their licences for 28 and 48 days respectively; another two had them suspended for two days; and the fifth had no action taken against him.