North East Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney (pictured) has suspended a driver’s HGV licence for six months after he tried to evade DVSA officers on the M6.
At a driver conduct hearing in Leeds in April, the TC was told how Sean Pooleman was driving his five-axle artic southbound on the M6 north of junction 17 at Sandbach on 12 May 2013.
Pooleman failed to respond to the directions of a DVSA officer, who was driving a fully liveried stopping car. He signalled Pooleman to follow him to the checksite at Sandbach Services but DVSA officers alleged that Pooleman began to drive aggressively, including on the hard shoulder of the motorway.
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On 2 May 2013, Pooleman was involved in a separate incident when he was directed to a DVSA check at the Dalar Hir weighbridge site in Holyhead.
Pooleman alleged that during a discussion, in which he had been attempting to calm another driver, a DVSA vehicle examiner said to him words to the effect that she hoped his children would die in a crash involving a truck. He was taking forward a complaint about his treatment when the incident on the M6 occurred.
Pooleman later received a letter of apology relating to the incident at Dalar Hir.
However, referring to the incident on the M6, Rooney said: “I am shocked by how close Pooleman came to the back of the DVSA car in what can only have been an act of deliberate intimidation.
“In venting his anger with the DVSA, he put the life and limb of innocent road users in danger.
“While he should not have been treated in the way he was at Holyhead, that in no way excuses his behaviour later.”
Pooleman alleged that during a discussion, in which he had been attempting to calm another driver, a DVSA vehicle examiner said to him words to the effect that she hoped his children would die in a crash involving a truck.
If that ■■■■■ at Dalar Hir had said that to me,she wouldn’t need a ■■■■■■■ weighbridge to find out how heavy the truck was, because the ■■■■■■■ thing would be parked on her ■■■■■■■ head Stuff complaints, he should have just knocked the ■■■■■ out
Pooleman alleged that during a discussion, in which he had been attempting to calm another driver, a DVSA vehicle examiner said to him words to the effect that she hoped his children would die in a crash involving a truck.
If that ■■■■■ at Dalar Hir had said that to me,she wouldn’t need a [zb] weighbridge to find out how heavy the truck was, because the [zb] thing would be parked on her [zb] head Stuff complaints, he should have just knocked the ■■■■■ out
If you want to lose your ticket just try to run a DVSA motor off the road.
Sorry but I’m with Rat on this one. I’d have knocked her teeth through the back of her tiny head and if it meant me losing my ticket then so be it. I’ve never hit a woman in my life but what with equality and all that
Oh, and I hope she got sacked!
Pooleman alleged that during a discussion, in which he had been attempting to calm another driver, a DVSA vehicle examiner said to him words to the effect that she hoped his children would die in a crash involving a truck.
If that ■■■■■ at Dalar Hir had said that to me,she wouldn’t need a [zb] weighbridge to find out how heavy the truck was, because the [zb] thing would be parked on her [zb] head Stuff complaints, he should have just knocked the ■■■■■ out
Well, I doubt very much that she said anything like that to him. Maybe she said “We have to check your vehicle, after all how would you feel if your children were killed by a dangerous truck” or somesuch.
I must just say that you seem to have a bit of an anger management problem? Knock the ■■■■■ out, and all that?
Pooleman alleged that during a discussion, in which he had been attempting to calm another driver, a DVSA vehicle examiner said to him words to the effect that she hoped his children would die in a crash involving a truck.
If that ■■■■■ at Dalar Hir had said that to me,she wouldn’t need a [zb] weighbridge to find out how heavy the truck was, because the [zb] thing would be parked on her [zb] head Stuff complaints, he should have just knocked the ■■■■■ out
Well, I doubt very much that she said anything like that to him. Maybe she said “We have to check your vehicle, after all how would you feel if your children were killed by a dangerous truck” or somesuch.
I must just say that you seem to have a bit of an anger management problem? Knock the ■■■■■ out, and all that?
I think its a bit strong to suspend a driver for 6 months for failing to stop at a road side check, however, if there was evidence of dangerous driving, then i agree with the punishment. Hearsay is not used in a court of law, and if they had evidence of both parties behaviour, then action should of course be taken, and if proved it was dangerous driving then i am surprised that he wasnt prosecuted for that offence, as i am sure that the VOSA vehicles have on board video surveillance.
oatcake1967:
However, referring to the incident on the M6, Rooney said: “I am shocked by how close Pooleman came to the back of the DVSA car in what can only have been an act of deliberate intimidation.
Given that the truck had a speed limiter on it the only reason that he was able to get close is because they deliberately placed themselves there.
It would come as no surprise to me that the DVSA driver decided to slow down quite quickly in an attempt to try and force him to stop and that the only intimidation going on was from the DVSA driver, many of whom seem to think they’re starring in an episode of Traffic Cops.
Oh do me a favour you angelic little darlings, especially you Saint Harry who never says anything out of order . I don’t give a ■■■■ what any of the holier-than-thou crowd think, some ■■■■■■■■ says that about your kids, they get ■■■■■■ up.
oatcake1967:
However, referring to the incident on the M6, Rooney said: “I am shocked by how close Pooleman came to the back of the DVSA car in what can only have been an act of deliberate intimidation.
Given that the truck had a speed limiter on it the only reason that he was able to get close is because they deliberately placed themselves there.
It would come as no surprise to me that the DVSA driver decided to slow down quite quickly in an attempt to try and force him to stop and that the only intimidation going on was from the DVSA driver, many of whom seem to think they’re starring in an episode of Traffic Cops.
Just for balance I got pulled at Leatherhead once,I knew he was coming after
me so when he pulled in front and indicated he wanted me to follow him I
backed off and followed him at a safe distance to the checkpoint.
When we got into the checkpoint he spoke to his colleague and told him he was
very impressed by my safe driving standard.I had a couple of small things
wrong but remained polite and helpful, the result was I was soon on my way
with a little bit of advice and a “sorry for the delay drive”.
The most important test to pass is the attitude one.
I bet if I had knocked out a few teeth out things would’nt have gone
as well.
summerley82:
Reading through this thread it seems we have a couple of Johnny concretes here! “I would have knocked the ■■■■■ out!”
Complete and utter nonsense…
As I read it he got a letter of apology for the Holyhead stop so I would say they very substantially overstepped the mark there and knew it. They simply do not issue letters of apology willy nilly even where there is clear evidence they are in the wrong.
Given for the following incident there appears to be no video evidence or witnesses only the DVSA officers version of events I’m reluctant to draw any firm conclusion. I would be interested to know if he had been pulled, and how many times, since the Holyhead incident as, I’m afraid, if people within the DVSA were disciplined as a result, of his complaint being upheld, it would not be the first time they have pursued what’s effectively a personal vendetta with deliberate harrassment.
The driver involved should write to his MP regarding the licence suspension.
Own Account Driver:
As I read it he got a letter of apology for the Holyhead stop so I would say they very substantially overstepped the mark there and knew it. They simply do not issue letters of apology willy nilly even where there is clear evidence they are in the wrong.
I wouldn’t agree, my girlf works at the local hospital and it’s standard procedure to issue a very carefully worded letter of apology when they receive complaints (we are sorry that you feel that service was poor etc).
It all seems a bit strange to me…
Pooleman alleged that during a discussion, in which he had been attempting to calm another driver, a DVSA vehicle examiner said to him words to the effect that she hoped his children would die in a crash involving a truck
Maybe that’s true. Or possibly, just possibly this driver is just one of those gobby mouth-breathing crap-talking knuckle-draggers that one occasionally encounters in the RDC waiting room.
I agree. These sort of attitudes and opinions illustrate why we as drivers are all looked upon as ■■■■ by the general public. 
…