Carrying Too Much Water
A County Londonderry operator was convicted at Omagh Magistrates Court and fined a total of £3,000 plus costs, after the operator’s 2 axle-ridgid goods vehicle was stopped in Omagh carrying water.
On examination of the vehicle it was found to be overloaded to an extent where it was deemed a danger of injury to other persons. It was found to weigh 12760kg on the GVW; this is 5270kgs or 70.36% in excess of the design GVW for the vehicle.
When asked about the company using the vehicle in such a condition the manager stated: “The guy who was employed should have been aware of what he was driving and should not have taken the vehicle on the road without checking with me.”
Overloaded with Coal
A County Down driver was convicted in Antrim Magistrates Court and fined a total of £900 in addition to court costs.
The conviction was a result of the driver being stopped in a 2+3 articulated heavy goods vehicle at Toomebridge, carrying coal. On examination of the vehicle it was found to be overweight on the gross train weight by 5850kg (14%), overloaded on the gross vehicle weight by 3880kgs (21%) and also overloaded on the 2nd axle respectively 2010 kgs (17%).
When asked to comment the driver declined.
Overweight With Stones
A County Down operator was convicted in Lisburn Magistrates Court and fined a total of £750 plus costs, as a result of the operator being stopped in Lisburn carrying stone.
On examination of the vehicle it was found to be overweight on axle 2 by 1,950kgs (27.4%). On the combined axles 3 and 4 by 2,700kgs (14.2%) and on the gross vehicle weight by 5,970kgs (18.5%).
When asked about the offence the operator stated: “I misread the docket and thought it was legal”.
Irregularities
A County Armagh operator was convicted in Craigavon Magistrates Court and fined a total £1050 in addition to court costs, as a result of tachograph charts being obtained for analysis.
On examination of the charts various irregularities were apparent - Failing to make periodic checks, causing and permitting the driver of the vehicle to break the permitted daily rest requirement.
When asked about the offences the operate stated: “I ram reissuing advice and guidance to all drivers on breaks, daily rest and weekly rest”
Entered False Name
A County Down operator was convicted in Newry Magistrates Court and fined a total of £1,000 in addition to court costs, after the operator of a 3+3 axles articulated large goods vehicle was stopped at the A5 Ballygawley Road.
On examination of the operator’s tachograph charts it was noted that the driver had a false name entered onto the charts. There were a total of 16 offences brought against the operator.
Exceeded Hours
A County Down driver was convicted in Craigavon Magistrates Court and fined £550 plus costs, as the result of the driver being stopped in a 3 axle articulated goods vehicle in combination with a 3 axle Fruehauf semi-trailer carrying quarry dust.
On inspection of the driver’s tachograph charts it was discovered that the driver had exceeded the permitted driving hours and had not taken the required daily rest period. He also failed to produce the required charts.
When the driver was asked about the offences he stated:“I took the card out of the lorry and the children were waiting for me, it’s at my own house”.
Cattle Were Too Heavy
A County Antrim operator was convicted in Omagh Magistrates Court and fined a total of £1,200 plus court costs.
The conviction was a result of the operators 2+3 articulated heavy goods vehicle being stopped at Ballygawley Road, Omagh carrying cattle.
On examination of the vehicle it was found to be overweight on the gross train weight by 7280kgs (18.2%), overloaded on the gross vehicle weight 3130 kgs (17.3%) and also overloaded on the 2nd axle respectively 1870 kgs (16.2%). The vehicle was also found to have no Road Freight Vehicle Licence in force.
When asked about the overload the driver answered: ‘The cattle must have been heavier than I thought they were’.
Tachograph offences
A County Armagh operator was convicted in Larne Magistrates Court and fined a total of £1,000 and court costs, after a 2+3 axle goods vehicle was stopped at The Harbour Highway, Larne.
The operator was convicted for several offences. The tachographs recording equipment had the seal tampered with so the equipment was not calibrated.
He was also proven to cause and permit the driver of the vehicle to break the permitted daily rest requirement and allow charts to be incorrectly completed. |
