Lorry drivers fined after breaching road regulations

THREE lorry drivers have been prosecuted and fined hundreds of pounds each after admitting they breached road restrictions in place to protect primary school pupils, North Yorkshire County Council has said.

All three of the drivers were seen ignoring a traffic regulation order, made by the County Council, which stops vehicles with a maximum weight of more than 7.5 tonnes using Highfield Road in Malton at certain times of the day.

The regulation is in place to help safeguard children and adults or carers travelling to or from primary schools in the vicinity.

Heavier vehicles should not use the road between 8.30pm and 9am or between 2.45pm and 3.45pm.

However, Scarborough Magistrates Court heard on Thursday May 5 that North Yorkshire standards officers had witnessed three heavy goods vehicles using the road during the restricted period.

The three drivers were charged nearly £2,000 in fines in total and ordered to pay costs and victim surchages.

Jo Boutflower, head of business and consumer services at North Yorkshire County Council, argued that the restrictions were “well signposted.”

He said: “The restrictions are well signposted and we would ask HGV drivers to respect the weight limit during those very limited school travel times in order to keep our residents, and particularly young children, safe.

“The fines imposed by the court show how seriously the magistrates view these breaches.”