There are strict traffic laws in the UK, and they are especially so for lorry drivers. Breaking the rules of the road as a lorry driver also holds more severe penalties than with vehicles on the road. Lorries are large and heavy vehicles. The cargo they carry also increases the truck’s mass. Therefore, accidents with such vehicles can be catastrophic, resulting in property damage and potential loss of lives. So, there are a few offences committed more so than others. Thus, through our experience and other resources, we highlight some of the most common offences committed by UK lorry drivers.
The purpose of this article is to highlight some rules that are consistently broken, which lead to penalties for the driver and the company they work for. With this information, you can determine how important it is to adhere to the rules and to seek legal representation if you face any charges related to lorry driving.
Common Offences Committed by UK Lorry Drivers
The offences discussed below are not in a particular order. With that said, here are some of the most common ones.
- Failure to wear seatbelts when the car is on the road
- Failure to stay within the speed limit on specific roads
- Carrying more load than is permitted or than what the load capacity of the specific truck
- Not having the correct driving licence or driving with an expired licence
- Failure to drive with due care
- Failure to adhere to the permitted driving hours (exceeding the driving hours can result in compromised driving ability, which could lead to an accident)
- Offences regarding records, with tachograph falsification
- The use of mobile phones while driving the lorry
- Offences pertaining to the construction and use of the vehicle
- Offences pertaining to the plating and testing
One offence that is not applicable to lorry drivers but the businesses that employ them is the usage of lorries that do not have the required O-licence.
Get the Legal Help You Need When You Are Charged with Driving Offences As a Lorry Driver
Along with the most common offences committed by UK lorry drivers, there are some unusual ones. Drivers have also been arrested for watching a video on their mobile phones and driving trucks that were not insured. Regardless of how common or unusual your case is with a road-related offence, you must hire solicitors who are skilled and experienced in this realm of the law.
If you believe there is insufficient evidence against your charges, you can also plead not guilty to the driving offences. In that case, your legal team can devise a defence strategy to help protect your rights and reach an outcome that is the most favourable to you, given your unique circumstances. Even small tickets can be contested, and you can do so to help prevent you from losing your licence and job.
