The incredible series of drivers’ hours’ offences was reported in the Norwegian press this week.
The discovery was made when a Turkish HGV with a refrigerated semi-trailer was stopped for an inspection in Støkken near Oslo. Officers ordered the truck to pull over because the semi-trailer was leaking water.
According to local news service Ås Avis, however, by the end of the check, inspectors from the Norwegian State Highway Authority found much bigger problems than technical issues. It turned out the driver had 16 violations related to the rules on driver working hours.
When the tachograph was checked, also officers found that there was a time when the driver had driven continuously for 28 hours and 31 minutes without a break. On another occasion, the driver rested for no more than eight minutes during the day.
Moreover, a closer inspection of the vehicle revealed that the seal was missing from the movement sensor on the gearbox that provided data to the vehicle’s tachograph – which arose the question of whether the tachograph was manipulated.
Eventually, the following actions were taken:
- the driver was reported for 16 driving and rest time violations, the police fined him 46,000 NOK (approx 4,640 euros)
- the driver was deported from Norway
- the company was notified for not sealing the tachograph
- the vehicle was prohibited from use until the tachograph is checked and technical defects repaired