Lorry Driver Hours

There was one thing that the Free Press omitted from its report last week on the local haulier whose drivers exceeded their permitted hours. It was that the Rhuthun haulier L E Jones has been there before. And it was reported in an old copy of the Free Press.

This time, L E Jones faced fines for improper use or failure to use tachographs that record drivers’ hours; and for drivers exceeding their hours and not taking breaks. As a result, the operator was fined, plus 18 drivers too, who were also each given a conditional discharge.

Last time was some eight years ago, when L E Jones was successfully prosecuted for speeding and, again, for drivers hours issues. To be absolutely fair to L E Jones after the former case, its drivers rarely went above the 40 mph permitted speed limit on local roads (much to the frustration of motorists!) and therefore there was evidence that the operator had successfully instructed its drivers.

This time, there was no mention of speeding. But drivers’ hours have turned up again. The judge felt that L E Jones did not profit from its drivers’ actions and nor did they encourage its drivers to exceed hours. He felt that the drivers were unaware of drivers’ hours changes earlier this year. But he also added that drivers’ hours are ‘crucial to road safety’ and should’ve been ‘second nature’ to drivers.

Drivers therefore didn’t wilfully exceed their hours. But should we be worried? There are about eight general hauliers in Rhuthun, most small. Then there are firms with their own lorries who are presumably also subject to tachographs, hours regulations and so on. If the judge recognised that big boy L E Jones twice can’t easily police its drivers, what chance is there for the others? And what dangers might this pose?