Fleet News | A record-breaking fine has been imposed on a fleet for repeated overloading offences, following a hearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.
Starling Distribution Services was ordered to pay £759,000, the biggest fine being issued ever for a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) prosecution, after being convicted of overloading and defective vehicle offences for its milk delivery service.
Despite the company’s vehicles previously being found overloaded or with dangerous defects on multiple occasions, the court heard it continued to operate in a dangerous manner.
Starling Distribution Services was first prosecuted as part of DVSA’s Operation Milkman back in August 2023, where they were fined £204,660.
Despite this significant fine, the company continued to re-offend, leading to further convictions in November 2023 and August 2024, before this latest court appearance.
The court heard that the DVSA stopped three vehicles being operated by Starling Distribution Services during three routine inspections in August 2024 and in February, this year.
The vehicle with the biggest overload weighed 5,040kg when it should have weighed no more than 3,500kg, meaning it was 44% over the maximum permitted limit.
Another of the vehicles was overloaded by 1,080kg, meaning it was 30.86% over the maximum permitted limit. It also had significant roadworthiness issues including braking defects and inoperative direction indicators.
The vehicle’s condition was deemed to pose a danger to road users, and an immediate prohibition was issued.
Starling Distribution Services was ordered to pay a total of £759,000 by the court. This was made up of a total fine of £750,000, victim surcharge of £6,000, and costs of £3,000.
Two drivers were also prosecuted and issued smaller fines and costs.
