Mark Seldon committed over 100 drivers’ hours offences, including creating false records Industry regulator Nick Jones says owner drove excessive hours and opted to put commercial advantage before safety Mr Seldon is also disqualified indefinitely as a transport manager and from professional driving for four years
The owner of a Pontyclun transport firm has been disqualified from running vehicles for five years by the Welsh Traffic Commissioner.
Mark Seldon, who operated from Cambrian Industrial Estate on Coedcae Lane, Pontyclun, also lost his licence to operate HGVs following a public inquiry in Cardiff earlier this month. Additionally, he has been banned from acting as a transport manager indefinitely and from professional driving for four years.
Mr Seldon failed to attend the hearing. In a written decision issued after the inquiry, the Traffic Commissioner for Wales, Nick Jones, said: “The road safety implications in driving excessive hours are very significant. I am also aware of the difficulties honest prudent operators face when they are undercut by rogues who are able to gain competitive advantage by cheating.”
Investigations carried out by an examiner from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) revealed that over a period of three months, Mark Seldon had committed 105 drivers’ hours offences, including 47 offences relating to false records.
Mr Seldon was prosecuted by Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court for a number of offences on 18 April 2016.
Another driver working for Mr Seldon also told the examiner he was under pressure to deliver goods and removed his digital tachograph to avoid taking breaks.
The Traffic Commissioner remarked: “Falsification of driver records is an especially serious issue. The drivers’ hours and records rules assist in keeping the public safe when using public roads and it is always serious when a deliberate false record is made by the driver.”
The public inquiry was held on 08 June 2016 at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.
