A multi-agency operation has seen dozens of taxis thoroughly assessed as part of safety checks, and five vehicles temporarily taken off the road to further protect passengers across Rushcliffe and neighbouring districts.
Drivers were stopped at Eastcroft Depot on London Road in Nottingham on Monday 27 January to ensure they were fit and proper to drive and their vehicles were roadworthy, insured and met specified standards.
Members of Rushcliffe Borough Council’s licensing team joined forces with those from Nottingham City Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council, Erewash Borough Council, Wolverhampton City Council and VOSA, the Vehicle Driving Standards Agency to make the checks.
Of the 33 taxis stopped from across the region, five drivers saw immediate prohibition of their vehicle, with one immediately seized and towed away due to a dangerous defective brake pipe and the male driver not possessing his driver’s badge when requested.
The other four vehicles will also be off the road until their drivers address issues including an under inflated tyre, defective steering, a front nearside light not working, rubber missing from a brake pedal, dashboard warning lights and an oil leak.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “This was another great example of authorities uniting to ensure the safety of those who use our taxis across the county and further afield.
“The majority of drivers are always highly professional and take their responsibilities very seriously but these random checks are crucial to ensure standards are maintained and those who flout the rules are identified.
“We’ll continue to work together at locations across the region to give this extra protection to residents and visitors who use taxis.”
Other issues saw some drivers’ operating plates temporarily suspended or given warnings for oil leaking onto an exhaust system, tyre tread not being sufficient, a defective nearside front headlight, accident damage to a rear bumper, a driver not possessing his badge and another not wearing his badge.
A Rushcliffe registered taxi driver was also given penalty points for not possessing a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and failure to clearly display a vehicle licence plate.
Image credit: Rushcliffe Borough Council
