Truck driver fined and vehicle confiscated by Carlisle court

Riccardo Poliandria, aged 39 from Italy was fined and his truck sized after guilty at Carlisle Magistrates Court a number of offences including falsifying tachograph. On Saturday 30th June 2012 a Volvo articulated goods vehicle was stopped by an officer from VOSA and from initial examination it was suspected that the vehicle was fitted with a device interfering with the correct function of the tachograph. The vehicle was prohibited from being driven for 24 hours and parked up at Penrith Truckstop.

The following day Police Sergeant Hodgson examined the vehicle and subsequently arrested the driver, Riccardo Poliandri aged 39 years from Italy on suspicion of conspiracy to make a false tachograph record.

The vehicle, a Volvo FH12, owned and operated by Autuori Trasporti from Italy was seized and subsequently examined by PC McKeown. It was found that a manipulation had occurred in the recording equipment that allowed the driver to record ‘rest’ whilst driving.

The digital data from the tachograph was analysed by PC Andy Ivison and revealed a number of offences, including a period showing ‘rest’ on the tachograph data when it is alleged the vehicle was driven from Cumbernauld to Stirling and back.

Poliandria appeared in Carlisle Magistrates Court on Wednesday 04th July 2012, and pleaded guilty to four offences, including one of falsifying a tachograph record, and was fined £250 for each offence with £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

District Judge Chalk ordered immediate payment, and if not paid, then ordered 45 days imprisonment. A confiscation order was also granted by the judge for the vehicle, which was valued at £46,000.

In his summing up Judge Chalk said: “Manipulation of the tachograph gave unfair competitive advantage to some firms and impacted on the safety of all
road users.”

Sergeant Graeme Hodgson from the Road Policing Unit who led the investigation for Cumbria Constabulary said: “Cumbria Constabulary and our Roads Policing Unit Uniform Operational Support partners at VOSA have evolved a good working relationship. This marks the latest of a series of successful applications to confiscate vehicles used to commit offences of tachograph manipulation.

“Road side fines have their place but we have found that these are often accepted by foreign companies who believe the company directors are untouchable. Penalties tend to be levied more on the drivers. Whilst many firms will pay these, they still appear to be no disincentive to stop manipulation. The most effective measure is to remove the vehicle from the road.”