A South Island freight company is rejecting claims of overworking drivers following a string of recent accidents.
Summerland Express Freight was fined $1800 in the Dunedin District Court in May after pleading guilty to two counts of operating an unsafe vehicle.
It followed a truck-and-trailer crash at Pine Hill Rd, North Dunedin, in December last year.
Brake and mechanical faults were found to be the cause of the accident.
First Union southern region secretary Paul Watson told the Otago Daily Times the fine was ”woefully inadequate” and sent the wrong message to transport operators.
”It beggars belief that they could impose such a low fine,” he says.
The company has been involved in several other crashes in recent months and drivers have been charged with careless and drugged driving relating to two crashes.
Police are currently investigating a crash involving a Summerland truck in Gore earlier in June.
The Otago Daily Times is reporting a source connected to Summerland truck drivers who says they are “pushed to the limit” by the company.
However, Summerland boss Grant Lowe rejects the claim.
“I work probably close to 70 hours a week … I think I’ve got a good balance.
“A lot of drivers love what they do … They’re happiest when they’re on the road,” Lowe told the Otago Daily Times.
