Taxi Driver Online

Eight minicab and taxi licences have been revoked in Hertsmere after on-the-spot checks found serious vehicle defects, traces of drugs and drivers with bad eyesight.

From the 41 vehicles checked in Operation Refurbish, 16 drivers were referred to opticians with poor or defective eyesight.

Samples collected from the vehicles revealed six positive tests for traces of heroin and cannabis, but no drugs were found in the vehicles.

The checks, which took place on June 7 from 3.30pm to 10pm, also revealed that six drivers did not have insurance and two were not covered to take paying passengers.

Two drivers were found to have criminal records. Vehicle problems included defects with lights, steering, tyres and wheel bearings.

All drivers were advised regarding the law. Further investigation following the checks are expected to lead to more licences being revoked.

The operation is set to continue.

PC Andy Chittenden, from Hertsmere's Traffic Management Unit, said: "The importance of the continuation of operations of this nature has been reaffirmed again by the serious safety issues detected during the checks."

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IDFIMH

I've never heard of eyesight being tested in spotchecks, but I suspect that if it was then there would be a lot of drivers in trouble. Same with private cars - probaby millions have defective eyesight.

That business about the traces of drugs seems unusual though, but if they were looking for traces of drugs then maybe they had been tipped off anyway.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

I only realised that all was not well with my old eyes when I went for a minibus license.

There is a saying that some cab drivers can't see the end of their noses, and it's not that far from the truth.

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IDFIMH