A north-east haulier has been put “out of business” after breaching safety measures aimed at tackling driver fatigue.
Ronald Dawson Wink, of Inverurie, has been disqualified from professional driving for 12 months by Scotland’s traffic commissioner after he used a magnet to confuse the tachograph on his vehicle.
He has also been banned from operating HGVs for two years after the traffic commissioner, Joan Aitken, found his actions led to the creation of false records.
Mr Wink claimed he had used the magnet to avoid parking problems he was experiencing with the HGV.
But Ms Aitken concluded he had breached road safety measures, designed to eliminate driver fatigue, by driving during rest times.
In a written report on her decision, she said Mr Wink had “allowed himself as a driver to manipulate the drivers hours and tachograph rules in a deliberate course of conduct”.
Mr Wink has been a truck driver for 44 years. The company name given on his vehicle was RDW Transport.
A public inquiry was held into his actions in Edinburgh last month, following an investigation by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency earlier in 2016.
The inquiry heard that distances and routes from his vehicle’s digital records were analysed after consultation with companies which had subcontracted Mr Wink.
He was found, using camera footage, to have been driving the HGV during recorded rest times. Three separate instances were identified by the DVSA.
Mr Wink also admitted to using the magnet at weekends to move the vehicle to be washed.
Ms Aitken described the use of the magnet as “serious”, adding: “For the moment, I am satisfied I must put him out of business and the question of trust is answered in the negative.
“Fortunately, most drivers and their employers or those instructing them would not cross the line into such manipulations.
“Very few drivers cross the line; when an operator driver crosses the line with no pressure except the pressure of his own decisions and attitude, then there cannot be deflection to any other party or cause.”
Mr Wink originally operated from Denwell Farm House in Insch, but more recently had been running his business from Inverurie.
Ms Aitken’s orders came into effect on December 26, 2016.
Mr Wink did not wish to comment when approached last night.
