A 38-year-old self employed lorry driver, who failed to take required breaks while driving, was before Castlebar District Court this week.
Under law, breaks need to be taken every four and a half hours, however Dermot Macken, Doorath, Kilmaine, had on six dates failed to take the required rest breaks, of not less than 45 minutes. This was discovered after the tachograph on the lorry was inspected by the Road Safety Authority.
On April 1 2010, for eight hours 15 minutes of driving he took a break of 20 minutes; on April 23, for driving eight hours 55 minutes he took only 15 minutes’ rest; on July 7 for working nine hours 45 minutes he took 25 minutes’ rest; on August 16, for working six hours he took five minutes’ rest; on August 20 for nine hours driving he took 20 minutes’ rest; and on August 30 for eight hours 15 minutes driving he took 15 minutes rest.
The court heard that even though Macken was fully aware of the regulations he drove due to economic reasons.
Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined him €750 and directed that €350 be paid towards costs.
