Healesville truckie slammed in Ringwood court for dangerous act during long haul trips
A long haul Healesville truckie has been hauled before court for his “dangerous” putting people at risk by driving when he shouldn’t have.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Healesville long haul truckie has been slammed in court for falsifying his logbook and ignoring mandatory rest periods despite safety concerns for other road users.
Christopher Davison appeared before the Ringwood Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to more than 20 offences related to his heavy vehicle licence.
The court heard Davison, who transports grain, made false or misleading entries into his work logbook on 18 occasions between July and February last year.
The false entries included Davison logging he was on a mandatory rest period, despite the truck being spotted on driving on road safety cameras as well as working for periods longer than the maximum of 12 hours.
On nine occasions Davison breached the maximum hours worked without sufficient rest periods, including two occasions where he worked for more than 14 hours.
When interviewed about his dangerous driving, Davison had “no explanation” for his choices and said his employer did not ask him to log his drives and rest incorrectly.
“It was a mistake,” Davison said during his interview.
“I probably didn’t add it up right.
“I probably felt OK and just wanted to keep driving.”
Davison, who has been a truck driver for more than five years, also said managing the manual logbook was “overwhelming.”
Magistrate Jason Ong said this behaviour was “dangerous” for Davison as well as every other road user.
“Fatigue poses significant risks on the road,” he said.
“These work limits are in place for the safety of yourself and others.”
Mr Ong sentenced Davison to a supervisory intervention order without conviction where he will have to undergo further logbook training and his heavy vehicle driving will be monitored.
He also fined Davison $12,000.
Father remembered as ‘beautiful soul’ after horror Kinglake crash
A Heidelberg Heights father killed in a horror crash on Victoria’s “deadliest road” has been remembered as a loving dad as locals call for improved safety.
‘Spiked’ bucks party punch led to MDMA driving charge
A former Glenroy primary school teacher caught driving while disqualified and with MDMA in his system has claimed he unknowingly consumed the drug after drinking spiked punch at a bucks party.