Tired Driver Killed : Employers Fined
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A LORRY driver who died in an accident near Boston fell asleep at the wheel after driving too long without proper rest, it was stated at Grimsby last week. His employers, B. Little, Ltd., fish Merchants, Grimsby, were lined 110 for allowing the man to drive for more than 11 hours in a day and £10 on each of two summonses for not ensuring that he had a 10-hour rest period. They pleaded not may.
Mrs. Joan Smith, the widow, said her husband, George Andrew Smith, 21, had been driving for only six months on a provisional licence. In March she went with him on a 180-mile journey from Grimsby to Southend, where he delivered fish. They had no rest and returned home the next morning. In the evening they set out again for Southend. When they had a puncture near Peterborough her husband had to hitch-hike more than 20 miles to the nearest garage.
They went on to Southend and began the journey back at tea-time without sleep. Near Boston he fell asleep and they crashed into a tree.
Mr. S. Harmston, defending, said that Smith had not obeyed the company's instructions, and they had not caused or permitted him to work beyond normal hours. He had been paid the usual 15s. subsistence money.
Replying to Mr. Harmston, Mrs. Smith said she did not know her husband was paid subsistence for long journeys.