News

A haulage operator whose truck was 92% overloaded caused bulging tyres to rub together and overheat has been disqualified from driving. Apart from being banned from driving for 12 months for the overloading and dangerous condition charge, Dolfrey Buckland, who runs Birmingham-based Arden Haulage, was also disqualified from driving for six months using the totting up system for using his mobile phone while driving a second truck. The bans will run concurrently.

Buckland had been found guilty  in his absence at a previous hearing at Solihull Magistrates' Court of the overloading offence and driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition. Dominic Green, prosecuting for Vosa, said the 7.5-tonne vehicle was stopped and checked after its tyres were seen to be bulging and it was driving very slowly.

"The springs were inverted and the truck was found to be overloaded with hardcore by 3,240kg. Buckland was prevented from driving any further until some of the load had been removed," Green said. At the latest hearing, Buckland was further charged with using his mobile phone while driving, having no MoT and failing to produce a driving licence and insurance within seven days in relation to a separate incident.

Buckland was also fined £265 with £163 costs for the overloading and dangerous condition charge and fined £140 with £35 for the other offences. He already had nine points on his licence.