Construction and transport operator Carey London has had its licence cut by half and its driver suspended for two months after a bridge strike incident exposed safety breaches.

A Cambridge public inquiry heard how driver Mircea Contra struck a bridge at speed while carrying an excavator, which had been secured with the arm of the vehicle facing the headboard. The PI was told there were four chains available, but these were not used to secure the excavator.

Contra had measured the height of the load with a tape measure – not a measuring stick – at 15 feet four inches and when he saw the height of a bridge on his journey measured at 15 feet he proceeded to pass under it at speed, striking the structure.

A subsequent investigation found the driver had failed to adhere to tachograph regulations, which raised concerns about the operator’s oversight of driver compliance and training.

The company was found to have failed in its legal undertakings to ensure that vehicles were fit and serviceable, to employ an effective written driver defect reporting system, and to comply with laws on drivers’ hours and tachograph regulations.

Turfitt said: “A professional driver is not expected to allow lapses of attention as they are in charge of vehicles which are by their very nature and size, dangerous. The decision to drive in that state presents an unacceptable risk and the decision making is not indicative of a professional driver.

“The outcome of this incident could have been truly catastrophic.”

Source: Commercial Motor