Truck driver who crashed on M7 had no driving records

A truck driver who crashed into an overhead gantry on the motorway in Laois was not keeping driving records. 

Danfred Coltman(44) of 18 Oak Street, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare appeared in court accused of failing to keep tachograph records, failing to use a record sheet and failng to use a record card on the M7 Curraghmore, Borris-in-Ossory on July 10, 2023. 

Garda Rabbitte told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the defendant had been driving an 171D registered articulated lorry eastbound on the M7 when he was involved in a crash on July 10. 

“He collided with the crash barriers and subsequently the overhead gantry,” Garda Rabbitte explained. 

He discovered the digital tachograph card was not being used and there were no management records. He said a demand was made to produce the documentation but they were never produced. 

“The vehicle had been used for a period of time,” said Garda Rabbitte. He told the court the man had no previous convictions.  

The defendant said he was pleading guilty to the offence. He told the court he had applied for a new card but there was an issue as he had changed address. He said he got a new card in January. 

Judge Andrew Cody said that was seven months later. 

He said it was a very serious matter as the record keeping is designed to prevent people from driving for more than the permitted time and getting tried and killing people on the road. 

He fined the man a total of €2,000.