http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/NEWS/15660109.Taxi_and_private_hire_safety_crackdown/MORE than 40 taxi and private hire drivers in York have been subjected to fresh checks by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police.
The operation - which took place over two nights in October and November - was supported by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), and Bradford and Calderdale councils, and saw seven vehicles removed from the road.
Over the two nights, 44 private hire vehicles and hackney carriages were operating were stopped and checked, but the council could not confirm how many were licensed in York or from outside of the city.
Issues with the vehicles ordered off the road by the DVSA included a defective tyre, lack of tread, defective headlights or brake lights and a serious fuel leak.
Seven more drivers were ordered to fix faults within three days, which included a defective airbag, an engine oil leak, a split drive shaft cover, a defective seatbelt and inoperative anti roll bars.hardly major faults just everyday wear and tearEight private hire vehicles were suspended from working due to mechanical problems and breaches of licensing rules, eight drivers were advised to repair minor defects and others were warned by taxi enforcement officers about breaching taxi licensing rules.
Cllr Sam Lisle, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: "This latest joint operation aims to help ensure the safety of passengers and sends a clear message to the trade that we enforce our conditions."
Inspector Andy Godfrey, of North Yorkshire Police, said the majority of vehicles were in good order.
He said: "Our most recent operation, however, has identified some issues and I would remind all taxi drivers that it is their responsibility to ensure their vehicle is in good order, and free of defects before they use it, regardless of if it is a company vehicle."
Concerns about the conduct of drivers or vehicles can be emailed to
public.protection@york.gov.uk
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