The  Traffic  Commissioner,  Nick  Jones,  has  warned  drivers,  transport managers  and  operators  they  face  serious regulatory action if they are found to be using magnets to evade drivers’ hours rules.

In  a  written  decision  following a public inquiry in Wales, the industry regulator  said  falsification  of driver records is an “especially serious issue”  and  told  operators  and  drivers they should expect to have their licences revoked if caught using magnets.

Drivers  and  transport  managers  will also face disqualification from the profession.

Mr  Jones, who made clear that each case will be treated on its own merits, said  that  in  certain  occasions  it was appropriate for a decision to be handed down as a deterrent.

“It  would  send  entirely the wrong message to the wilful and unscrupulous driver  that  it will not materially affect his or her livelihood to commit offences and to use a magnet.”

At a public inquiry in Cardiff last month, Mr Jones heard how driver Philip Rees  admitted  using a magnet to avoid taking a rest, after he was stopped by DVSA officers on the M56 motorway in Cheshire.

Checks  revealed  the  vehicle  had  been  recording  a rest period for the previous  two  hours  and  22  minutes and the tachograph had recorded rest while the vehicle was driving from the M56 into the DVSA check site.

Mr  Rees,  who  was  also a director and transport manager of the Llandybie based transport firm, told the examiner that he had used the magnet because he  had nowhere to park. He was heading for a layby on the A55 after making
a delivery to the Jaguar factory in Halewood.

During  the hearing, the regulator addressed the responsibilities and roles that  Mr  Rees  held  in  the business and the impact of his behaviour as a driver.
“I indicated than an operator and transport manager who used a magnet was a clear  aggravating feature and it wasn’t a case of an unscrupulous employer putting pressure on to commit offences.

“Here the driver was the owner of the business,” he added.

Mr  Jones  acknowledged the driver had readily admitted the single isolated offence  and did not attempt to obstruct the regulatory bodies. Mr Rees had also recognised that his actions were not acceptable.

Making  an order to revoke the professional driving licence held by Mr Rees –  and  disqualify  him from driving for 12 months – the regulator issued a stark reminder about the importance of complying with the rules.

“Falsification of driver records is always an especially serious issue.

“The  drivers’  hours  and  records rules assist in keeping the public safe when  using  public  roads and it is always serious when a deliberate false record is made by a vocational driver.”

Mr  Jones  also  made an order to revoke the operator’s licence held by P D Rees  &  Sons  Ltd  and disqualify Philip Rees from holding or obtaining an operator’s licence for 18 months.

He  additionally  ruled  that  Mr Rees had lost his repute and professional competence  as  a  transport  manager  until  he had passed fresh transport manager examinations.

“A transport manager who uses a magnet should expect to lose his repute and professional competence,” the regulator concluded.

The  operator  had  previously  been  called  to  public  inquiry, in 2006, resulting  in  a  licence  curtailment.  Philip  Rees was also told on that occasion that his repute and professional competence as a transport manager had been severely tarnished.

Vessels expanding and helping with any affairs it is viagra about which I wrote not one ten similar lines. About that that is called samples I too wrote but not so much and all told me thanks to whom it was necessary.

About the Author: admin