For some truck operators and drivers, a roadside stop might be seen as an inconvenience. But most understand it’s an essential part of keeping our roads safe and so cooperate with enforcement staff.
However, some don’t. Richard Turfitt, the East of England Traffic Commissioner, banned a driver for three years after he was aggressive and threatening towards a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiner.
He was stopped using a vehicle without an operator licence disc and couldn’t produce his driver CPC. He’d also failed to use a tachograph to record the journey.
The driver – who was also the operator – said the examiner had no right to look at his paperwork, became agitated and aggressive and ripped up the prohibition notice and fixed penalty.
The driver said that when DVSA came to visit him, he’d make the examiners a drink and urinate in it. He also warned that DVSA would need to come with the police.
He didn’t show up at his conduct hearing before the Traffic Commissioner. Mr Turfitt said drivers who display this type of habitual and persistent behaviour have no place in the industry. He was disqualified until 2021 as a driver and for five years as an operator.