Chemical helter-skelter
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A BELGIAN TRUCK driver who Zigzagged across two lanes of traffic with a 22-tonne load of chemicals has been jailed for two months for dangerous driving.
Christophe Herpoel pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving, five counts of taking insufficient rest and one count of driving with defective tyres.
Taunton Deane magistrates heard how police spotted Herpoel driving erratically on the A358 towards Taunton at 6am on 21 April. He was seen weaving across the road; at one point a truck travel ling in the opposite direction had to swerve to avoid a crash.
They stopped the vehicle and found that Herpoel had driven for more than 40 hours without adequate rest. His truck had two defective tyres and the load contained Sodium Dithonite — a highly combustible substance that should only be transported in suitable vehicles, by specially trained drivers.
Defending, Sue Barker said he had to take on more work for the money and did not know about the hazardous goods. Herpoel was banned from driving for two years.