6 minute read
Court Report
from ExF Nov-Dec
by 4SMNI
Operator Lands a Fine of Almost £3,000
The conviction arose when DVA requested tachograph data from a company in relation to 24 vehicles in their possession. The subsequent analysis of the records revealed that there had been numerous incidents identified of driving without a digital tachograph card inserted, failure to download driver’s cards, failure to produce record sheets and drivers failing to take their required daily rest.
Failed to Take Daily Rest
Analysis of his tachograph records identified several drivers’ hours offences, including failing to take the required daily rest and driving on occasions without the appropriate digital driver card inserted.
Vehicle ‘Dangerously’ Overloaded
A County Antrim operator has been convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court and fined a total of £1000 for using a dangerously overloaded vehicle.
The conviction arose when DVA enforcement officers stopped a small 2 axle Mitsubishi goods vehicle in the Nutts Corner area. The vehicle was weighed and found to be overloaded on its 1st axle by 352kgs, 2nd axle by 809kgs and 2311kgs on its gross vehicle weight. Given the extent of the overload it was deemed that it had posed a danger or risk of injury to other road users.
Didn’t Take Daily Rest on Six Occasions
An analysis of the vehicle’s tachograph data found that the vehicle had been driven on 6 occasions where the driver had failed to take sufficient daily rest. It was also noted that the operator had failed to download data from the driver card or digital tachograph within the specified time limits.
Unable to Produce Driver CPC Card
A Republic of Ireland driver was convicted at Newry Magistrates’ Court and fined a total of £1000 after DVA enforcement officers stopped a Scania 3+3 axle articulated goods vehicle in the Loughbrickland area.
The vehicle was subsequently weighed and found to be overloaded on its gross train weight by 1040kgs. The driver was also asked to produce his driver CPC card and was unable to do so.
£3000 Fine on Tachograph Offences
The conviction arose when DVA enforcement officers stopped a Volvo 2 axle skip lorry in the Ballymena area. Analysis of the vehicle’s tachograph revealed that the vehicle had been driven on 9 occasions where the driver had failed to take sufficient daily rest. It also revealed that the operator had failed to download the driver’s card within 28 days and the tachograph unit within 90 days.
Exceeded Driving Limit by 10 Hours
The conviction arose when DVA enforcement officers stopped a 2 axle articulated goods vehicle in the Larne area. Analysis of the driver’s digital card and tachograph revealed that he had exceeded his fortnight driving limit by 10 hours more than the permitted 90 hour limit.
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The Mercedes-Benz Trucks headquarters in Wörth was the venue recently for its ‘Shaping the Now and Next 2021’ event, at which the German manufacturer showcased its current and future vehicle concepts, services and solutions.
Michelin’s commitment to sustainable mobility was recognised at the NTDA Awards where it was announced as the winner of the Tyre Industry Environment and Sustainable Solution Award.
Available in Ireland next year, the Actros L with be the largest, highest quality vehicle in the Actros model range. Its 2.5 metres wide driver’s cab will be available in StreamSpace, BigSpace and GigaSpace variants with a flat floor and spacious interior. Features will include improved cab noise insulation, optimised seating position and optionally available, newly designed LED headlamps. Safety is enhanced through fifthgeneration Active Brake Assist (ABA 5) emergency braking assistant with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist and MirrorCam, which replaces the main and wide-angle mirrors. Options include Sideguard Assist with active braking (Active Sideguard Assist) and secondgeneration Active Drive Assist (ADA 2) system which enables level 2 partially automated driving.
eActros
In committing to the Paris Agreement’s aim of decarbonising the sector, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has set a target of switching its European product portfolio over to electrically powered trucks by 2039. Designed for heavy distribution haulage, the new batteryelectric eActros celebrated its world première earlier this year, having undergone extensive trials over a two year period. eActros will draw its energy from either three or four battery packs of 105 kWh each. Positioned beneath the frame, within a protective aluminium housing, they produce a total capacity of 315 or 420 kW respectively, the latter providing a range of up to 400 kilometres. With a charging capacity of up to 160 kW, when connected to a regular 400A DC charging station, the three battery packs need little more than an hour to charge from 20 to 80 percent. Available as a two or threeaxle truck with 19 or 27 tonnes permissible gross weight, its quiet drivetrain makes it suitable for night-time deliveries – easing strain on road networks during peak times.
eEconic
The next milestone in the portfolio of electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Trucks will be the series eEconic. Intensive testing is underway, after which the vehicle will begin practical trials with customers. With key technical specifications largely identical to those of the eActros, the eEconic is a waste collection vehicle designed to cover the vast majority of typical waste collection routes in a single shift, without intermediary charging.
LongHaul
In addition to distribution haulage and municipal operations, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is also committed to the use of alternative drive concepts for longer distances. The battery-electric eActros LongHaul is designed to cover regular journeys on plannable routes with a range of around 500 kilometres on just one charge. A completely new generation of trucks with a drive system based on fuel cells and hydrogen is on its way in the form of the GenH2 Truck. With it, hauliers should be able to use the vehicle for flexible and demanding trips of up to 1000 kilometres and more without the need to stop and refill. Coupled with digital solutions and a host of new and innovative safety systems, other topics showcased at the Mercedes-Benz Trucks event in Wörth included the “cellcentric” fuel cell joint venture with the Volvo Group, the goal of which is to become a leading global manufacturer of fuel-cell systems.
Michelin Honoured With Environment & Sustainable Solution Award
Michelin’s Andrew French, B2B Sales Director for the UK and Ireland (second from the left) and Richard Bezzant, Marketing Director UK and Ireland (centre) collect the award during the annual ceremony at the International Convention Centre (ICC), in Birmingham.
The honour was presented to the manufacturer for its work in ensuring its products, processes and solutions help to reduce raw material usage, promote sustainability, as well as helping to bring environmental benefits to business and the wider society. Commenting, NTDA Chief Executive, Stefan Hay says: “The judges felt that Michelin was a clear winner this year, as its award entry stood head and shoulders above the rest in terms of corporate ambition, vision and practical commercial initiatives across the whole field of tyre recycling, materials reuse and wider environmental campaigns.” Michelin’s Andrew French, B2B Sales Director for the UK and Ireland and Richard Bezzant, Marketing Director UK and Ireland, collected the trophy during the annual ceremony at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Birmingham, hosted by TV personality Mark Durden-Smith.
