Inspections carried out by the Swedish Transport Agency revealed serious irregularities in two companies belonging to the same group. The total value of the infringements exceeded SEK 2 million (around €185,000), which translated into financial penalties of more than SEK 1.3 million (approx. €121,000).
The first inspection covered a subsidiary employing close to 100 people and operating a fleet of more than 170 vehicles. In this case, infringements worth more than SEK 1.1 million (approx. €102,000) were detected; however, due to the high turnover, the maximum possible penalty was applied – SEK 800,000 (approx. €74,000).
Inspectors recorded as many as 108 infringements, including:
- using another driver’s card – 24 cases,
- incorrect use of the card – 18 cases,
- removing the tachograph card at an unauthorised moment – 14 cases,
- missing tachograph data.
Issues also found at the parent company
Another inspection concerned the parent company, employing just under 20 people and owning around 120 vehicles. In this case, the value of the infringements amounted to more than SEK 900,000 (approx. €83,500), and the penalty to more than SEK 500,000 (approx. €46,400).
A total of 97 infringements were identified there, including again cases of using other drivers’ cards and manipulations related to removing them.
“Family members helped out”
In explanations submitted to the authority, the company argued that some of the infringements resulted from the fact that family members of the drivers were helping with transport operations. The use of duplicate cards was also confirmed, although – as stated – without management’s knowledge.
Interestingly, one of the cards used was said to belong to a close relative of the company’s then CEO.
Rapid growth at the expense of oversight
The current CEO admitted that the main cause of the problems was the company’s rapid growth, which the administration and compliance oversight could not keep up with.
Today we have completely different procedures and dedicated staff responsible for this area – he emphasised in the Swedish portal trailer.se.
As proof of the changes, he points to the fact that a third company in the group underwent a later inspection without any objections (apart from isolated cases of overloading).
A new strategy and a shift in approach
After the inspection, one of the companies also decided to join the Fair Transport programme, which is intended to be part of a new strategy based on compliance and transparency.
Decisions in both cases are already final.
It is worth recalling that in Sweden:
- for companies with turnover above SEK 80 million, the maximum penalty is SEK 800k,
- for smaller businesses, the limit is 1% of annual turnover.
