Safety checks on taxis were carried out by a number
of agencies in Weston-super-Mare on Friday 9
December.
The joint operation involved the police, the Vehicle and
Operator Services Agency, our licensing department and the
Department of Work and Pensions.
They stopped 19 vehicles and found a number with faults. Three
were ordered out of service for tyre and lighting defects. One had
its index taxi plates seized until defects were rectified. One
driver was given an endorsable fixed penalty notice for an illegal
tyre, and another was given a non-endorsable fixed penalty notice
for a seatbelt fault. Six were given advisory notices for an
assortment of minor traffic offences.
PC Marion Carrett from Avon and Somerset Police's roads policing
unit said: "The result of the checks confirmed that a percentage of
vehicles stopped had minor defects. Drivers were dealt with
accordingly. Checks will be carried out in the New Year to see if
the taxi companies have improved their standards."
Our licensing manager, Keith Taylor, added:"While the
majority of the vehicles checked were found to be satisfactory,
there was a significant number of vehicles with minor defects such
defective lights and this indicated poor vehicle maintenance.
"We welcome working with partner agencies and further checks
will be made to ensure the protection of members of the public
travelling in licensed vehicles."
