News

Management control to blame for tacho fiddling

30 April 2008

Four drivers had their LGV licences suspended for tachograph fiddling following earlier appearances before magistrates who fined them amounts varying between £400 and £850, with each being ordered to pay prosecution costs of £150. In suspending the licences of the drivers employed by Evesham-based AIM Logistics, the West Midlands Traffic Commissioner, Nick Jones, said that revocation of the licences with a subsequent loss of livelihood was also an option. A further three drivers are to be  dealt with by the TC at a later date.

Traffic examiner Angela Watkins said that an in-depth analysis of 584 tachograph charts, timesheets, fuel statements, fuel and parking receipts, revealed 74 offences, including the falsification of tachograph records, committed by eight drivers. A total of 77,663 kilometres were unaccounted for. Driver Patrick Green blamed his high blood pressure on his employment with the company, saying his hours of work were irregular and badly organised and "it was all one big mad rush". Driver Philip Jones blamed his three offences of falsification on telephone calls received from the company stressing delivery times needed to be met. In suspending the licences, the TC said he accepted that the offences had occurred due to a lack of management control by the company.

Green, of Evesham, with one offence of falsification and three other offences, had his licence suspended for 12 days Jones, of Alfrick, Worcester, with three offences of falsification  and one other had his licence suspended for 54 days Anthony Gittus of Offenham, Evesham, with five offences of falsification and 13 other offences, had his licence suspended for 13 weeks, and Nigel Vernall of Evesham, with one offence of falsification and six others had his licence suspended for a month.


Sliding scale of suspension for tacho fiddling

Under the TC's guidelines, there is a sliding scale starting at one e month's suspension per offence for up to three false records offences and revocation and disqualification for up to six months for up to five offences.


Mike Jewell
Powered by Commercial Motor

Search the News

Related Blogs

--------- Sponsored Links ---------
----------------------------------------