The lack of lay-by facilities and proper infrastructure makes it difficult for lorry drivers in this State to comply with safety regulations, a judge said yesterday. Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick said it was notable how few rest areas are provided in this jurisdiction, compared even to the North of Ireland.
He spoke during a Department of Public Enterprise prosecution of a Dublin haulage company which admitted eight counts of exceeding driving time and not complying with weekly rest periods.
The defence solicitor, Mr Damien Cassidy, said that while the safety regulations in this State were up to date, the infrastructure was not and did not allow companies to comply with EU directives.
He said there were not enough lay-bys and drivers often faced delays because of bad roads and congested towns while trying to deliver goods such as fresh fish in competition with our European partners.
Judge Fitzpatrick said there was a lot of merit in what the solicitor said, but that regulations had to be complied with.
The judge was told the maximum fine for each summons was £1,000, but he imposed fines of £30 for each of eight offences committed between February and March by Blackhorse Transport Services, Promenade Rd, Dublin 3.