A 56-year-old Cowra truck driver has been stung with a $200 fine and must pay $450 professional costs after being charged with driving at critical risk.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
James Douglas Wallace was stopped at the Marulan heavy vehicle safety station on the Hume Highway about 10.30pm on February 9 and checks revealed he’d only had five hours rest since 10.30pm the night before.
He was traveling in a prime mover from Lidcombe to Cowra at the time.
At court, solicitor Clive Hill said his client “doesn’t get involved in long distance haulage” and was “rusty” with his use of a logbook.
“He apologises to the court. He miscalculated,” Mr Hill said.
“He’s mainly a farmer and does some part-time truck driving carting wool and wheat locally.”
Magistrate Michael O’Brien said the rules are enforced for a reason.
“These rules aren’t there to be a pain, although that may be the perception,” Magistrate Michael O’Brien replied.
Documents tendered at Cowra Local Court reveal Wallace admitted to the RMS enforcement manager he doesn’t do much long distance driving.
