TC cuts NR Parsons Transport's O-licence after drivers caught tailgating

Traffic commissioner (TC) for Wales Nick Jones has cut NR Parsons Transport’s fleet by a quarter for three months after its drivers were convicted of tailgating cars and committing drivers’ hours offences.

The TC sent out a firm warning that HGV drivers will face strong action if they are caught tailgating.

Jones said: “Tailgating is potentially dangerous in any circumstances, but tailgating in an HGV is especially serious and if brought to the attention of a traffic commissioner, strong albeit proportionate action will be taken.”

At a driver conduct hearing and public inquiry in Cardiff earlier this month, Jones said the Bridgend-based firm’s three drivers had been able to commit drivers’ hours offences, including falsification of records, because transport manager Neil Parsons did not have “sufficient control over the drivers’ hours records compliance.”

The NR Parsons Transport had its O-licence curtailed from 16 vehicles and 16 trailers to 12 vehicles and 12 trailers for three months from September 2017.

Jones said Parsons had lost his repute and banned him from holding the position until he requalifies by passing fresh examinations.

Drivers Alan Reynolds, of Kington, and Robert Lloyd, also based in Kington, both admitted tailgating during a the driver conduct hearing. Both were seen tailgating cars in September, while driving NR Parsons Transport HGVs, by a DVSA traffic examiner as the vehicles travelled from Hereford to Letton.

Following an investigation, the agency also reported Reynolds and Lloyd for committing drivers’ hours records offences, which resulted in Reynolds being prosecuted for 15 offences of knowingly making a false record. He was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, by Worcester Crown Court.  He is also required to undertake 160 hours of unpaid community service, and pay costs and a court surcharge totalling £1,790.

The TC added an extra month to the professional driving bans of two HGV drivers who were reported for tailgating.

After the conduct hearing, the TC revoked Reynolds’ professional driving licence and disqualified him from holding or applying for a vocational licence until 1 March 2019. 

Lloyd was convicted of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the making of a false record and fined by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court. The TC also revoked his professional driving licence and disqualified him from holding or applying for a vocational licence until 1 September 2018.

A third driver, David Clarke, of Kingstone, was convicted and fined for a number drivers’ hours offences, including knowingly making a false record and using another driver’s card to record his work. Clarke’s professional driving licence was revoked by the TC and he is disqualified from holding or applying for a vocational licence until 1 May 2018.

DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: “DVSA’s first priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles. There’s no excuse for driving while tired or driving dangerously.  I am very supportive of the action taken by the traffic commissioner in this case and the advice he has provided to the industry.”