Ivan Kayryak pleaded guilty to knowingly falsifying digitally-recorded data.

The court was told that a 40-tonne artic operated by Romania-based Avis Tran, and driven by Kayryak, was stopped in a VOSA check at Thornham Island at the junction of the A627M and the M62. The vehicle  was fitted with a digital tachograph.

Analysis of the digital data revealed no driving being recorded at the time the vehicle entered the check site. His driving hours recorded before that instance revealed that he should have been observing a daily rest period at the material time. A physical examination of the vehicle was carried out by VOSA examiners and this revealed the presence of a high powered magnet attached the sender unit at the gearbox. Police officers were called to the scene and Kayryak was duly arrested on suspicion of falsifying digital data.He was detained in cells at Rochdale overnight.

Through an interpreter, Kayryak said he had done what he had to in order to find a secure parking place. The magistrates fined Kayryak £100 and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £15 victim surcharge.

Safety risks

The enforcement authorities and the RHA are concerned about the message being sent to the industry when   serious potentially life-threatening issues are treated so leniently. The use of magnets to interfere with digital tachos is increasingly common, and serious action needs to be taken by the courts because of the large safety risk.

Source: roadtransport.com