A Skelmersdale lorry driver who admitted 48 offences of tachograph fiddling to win a "flying start" in the mornings has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £2,100 by the Chester Magistrates.John Riding of Ashurst, Skelmersdale, pleaded guilty to 24 offences of falsification and asked for a further 24 to be taken into account. Prosecuting for Vosa, David James said the offences had come to light during a lengthy and detailed investigation into the activities of drivers employed by St Helens-based Jason Byrne, trading as North West Express.
The offences had all been committed in exactly the same circumstances. On 48 occasions Riding had given himself a "flying start", thus saving time for the rest of the day by driving for the early part of the day without a chart in the tachograph. In each case around 14km were unrecorded. This tallied with the fact that Riding started from Widnes and then drove to Runcorn to fill up without putting the chart into the tachograph until after he had fuelled his vehicle.
When interviewed, Riding had accepted all the allegations. He had worked for the firm for nine years and as an LGV driver for five years. He said he had received no training and no disciplinary issues had been brought to his attention. For Riding, David Finney said the only aggravating feature in the case was the number of offences. The offences had not been committed for any financial benefit, with Riding driving for hours and hours to boost his income. His simple motive had been that the firm was getting busy and he had felt under pressure, though not pressured by his employer.
Each case consisted of 10 minutes of driving so there had not been any serious threat to road safety. The risk of further offending was virtually nil as Riding had developed a lazy eye and had lost his vocational licence on medical grounds. He was currently working in the yard and his income was significantly reduced. When interviewed, Riding said he had been trying to save 10 minutes, adding: "That's it. It's a bit stupid." That last comment said it all, said Finney. Riding had been incredibly stupid.
In fining Riding £1,600 and ordering him top pay £500 prosecution costs, the magistrates said the offences were of a very serious nature and in different circumstances they would have dealt with them much more seriously.
