Weight breach leads to prosecution

A driver has been prosecuted for driving a 44 tonne articulated heavy commercial vehicle through the 7.5 tonne environmental weight restriction through Easter Compton and Pilning in South Gloucestershire.

The driver, James Smith of Tipton, West Midlands failed to enter a plea to North Avon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 21 September 2010 and was found guilty in his absence and fined £435 and ordered to pay costs of £537.96 plus a £15 victim surcharge.

Smith was seen driving his vehicle through the weight restriction at Pilning on Friday 9 April 2010 during a weight restriction enforcement check by South Gloucestershire Council Trading Standards Service. He is believed to have been relying on his sat nav to get him to his destination towards Avonmouth.

Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “Drivers of all vehicles should pay particular attention to road traffic signs and not just rely on their satellite navigation systems to get them from one place to another.”

“Heavy goods vehicle drivers should pay particular attention to the traffic signs, because they can impose extra restrictions on them. Alternative routes are marked at Cribbs Causeway for drivers to help them get to their destinations. It is not good enough to burden local people with noise and pollution from their vehicles.”

Andy Watson, chief inspector of weights & measures, said: “Trading Standards work in partnership with the police and regularly conduct enforcement checks to ensure drivers of heavy vehicles do not breach the weight restrictions the Council has imposed on our roads and bridges.”

“The weight restriction signage around Pilning and Easter Compton is clear, with plenty of advance warning signage to assist lorry drivers avoid committing an offence.”

This is the second successful prosecution by South Gloucestershire Council this month relating to the same stretch of road.

You can read the first Article on this story HERE