Taxi Driver Online

Police sting takes unfit limousines, taxis and minibuses off the road


MORE than two thirds of vehicles bringing revellers into Cardiff from across South Wales are unfit for the road.

A police operation to crack down on unroadworthy limousines, minibuses and taxis stopped 22 vehicles during a five-hour sting.

Some were carrying up to 16 revellers on their way into the city centre for the Christmas party season.

Marked police cars and officers from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) directed cars to a temporary examination unit outside the Bute Building on King Edward VII Avenue on Friday night.

Officers from VOSA inspected 14 of the 22 vehicles, checking for faults in areas like tyres, lights, steering, brakes and fitted seatbelts. Of those inspected, 10 had problems which meant they should not have been on the road.

Drivers were also put through checks by Cardiff council’s licensing team, to ensure they had the correct paperwork for the size and type of vehicle they were driving.

Sergeant Scott Lloyd, of the Cardiff Central Neighbourhood Team, said: “The operation was very successful in highlighting the poor condition of some of the public service vehicles that operate within our community.

“Whilst disappointed with the fact that more than two thirds of the public service vehicles were not fit for purpose, it is imperative we focus our resources to ensure that the members of public that travel in minibuses and taxis arrive at their location safely.”

Drivers of the unroadworthy vehicles will now have to fix the faults by law before they can continue to be used on the road.

Some of the drivers will also be prosecuted for the relevant motoring offences while the local authority will take separate actions against the Cardiff taxis found to be unfit during the sting.

Sgt Lloyd added: “A lot of limousine drivers don’t realise they have to have a drinks licence to serve alcohol because they are basically a mobile bar. These people have a great amount of responsibility because they are carrying the most passengers so it’s our duty to make sure they are safe.”

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Drinks license, most of them don't know, nor care, that they also have to have PH/PSV/HC licenses.

I also wonder if the vehicle with 16 punters in was running under the mythical self drive scam?

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IDFIMH

Or could that have been one of the minibuses?

“Whilst disappointed with the fact that more than two thirds of the public service vehicles were not fit for purpose, it is imperative we focus our resources to ensure that the members of public that travel in minibuses and taxis arrive at their location safely.”

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Grandad,

My money is 100% on it being a hummer type vehicle.

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IDFIMH

The driver does not need a drinks license providing that the drinks were ordered at the time of booking. The vehicle operator requires a personal license and the premises that the the vehicle operates from requires the premises license.

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Grandad,

Looks like word is spreading.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2040 ... s_licensed

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IDFIMH

There's a pink one operating round our way, on Saturday I counted 16 getting out of it.

That in itself does not mean that is illegal.

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Grandad,

What part is not illegal ....16 getting out or it being PINK ?

[quote]Officers from VOSA inspected 14 of the 22 vehicles, checking for faults in areas like tyres, lights, steering, brakes and fitted seatbelts. Of those inspected, 10 had problems which meant they should not have been on the road.[/quote]

why only 14?

Would you put your life savings on that booking being pukka?

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IDFIMH