Tougher sentencing guidelines for the most serious motoring offences are having a significant impact on drivers and hauliers, according to road transport lawyers
Tougher penalties for driving offences, with large fines and disqualification on the cards, could cost HGV drivers their jobs, a transport lawyer warns.
Vikki Woodfine, a partner at specialist road transport solicitors DWF, says a shift in public opinion on the use of mobile phones at the wheel, coupled with a feeling that sentencing guidelines were not addressing the potential harm caused through speeding, has toughened up the punishments dished out by the courts.
Woodfine also warns that even when a driver can persuade a magistrate not to impose a disqualification, the traffic commissioner (TC) may still do so in respect of the vocational licence entitlement. She says that sanctions for speeding and mobile phone use are examples “of the high standards set for professional drivers and the potential ‘double punishment’ they face if they fail to comply with road traffic laws in the UK”.
No ‘double jeopardy’
However, trade groups and another lawyer say that the regulatory and criminal justice systems are separate and that professional drivers are not subject to “double jeopardy”.
Woodfine is also urging the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to take a fairer approach and a more realistic view of culpability and harm when bringing cases to court that involve health and safety breaches (see panel).
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
