Taxi Driver Online

Sandwell taxi drivers have licences revoked

http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/162 ... s_revoked/

MORE than 40 taxi drivers in Sandwell have had licenses either revoked or refused renewal for a variety of offences in the last 12 months – including one who used a coffee cup lid for a petrol cap.

In addition some 60 drivers had their licences suspended with immediate effect in the same period, a report before the borough’s licensing committee has revealed.

In total, members of the committee dealt with 125 licensing cases during 2017-18 , including one driver who used a coffee cup lid to to replace his lost petrol cap.

That driver’s license was suspended for six months and his taxi was immediately taken off the road.

Council officers used their powers to suspend three drivers with immediate effect on the grounds of public safety due to having committed or being investigated for criminal offences of a serious nature.

They also suspended 20 drivers whose Disclosure and Barring Service certificates – criminal history checks – had expired.

In addition, 37 drivers had their license suspended for medical reasons.

Councillor Bob Piper, chairman of the Licensing Committee, in a forward to a report to be discussed by councillors on June 1, said: “The committee has considered 125 individual matters relating to the grant or review of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing throughout the year covering a wide variety of issues.

“The committee works with the Taxi Licensing Office to ensure that all laws, conditions and obligations in respect of regulation and public safety are complied with.”

He added: “In order to maintain the integrity of the service, it is essential that members of the public can feel confident and safe when using Private Hire Vehicles and Hackney Carriages in Sandwell.

“I am confident that the decisions made by the committee make travelling in a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle a safe and comfortable experience with competent drivers who fulfil the council’s essential requirements.”

this wouldn't be the same one as featured on here a while ago would it ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Ah, yes, this one from January. Well remembered.

Six months suspension seems a bit harsh, although as the earlier piece makes clear it wasn't just the fuel cap that was the problem.

This is how taxi driver used plastic coffee cap to cover FUEL PIPE



Many people need a good strong coffee to get through their shift. It seems this taxi driver needed one to keep his vehicle running too.

Traffic cops were left stunned when they spotted a taxi driver using a PLASTIC Costa coffee lid to cover his leaking diesel fuel pipe.

Officers were conducting roadside checks on Hackney and Private Hire Taxis along Waterfall Lane, in Cradley Heath, when they came initially across this vehicle with a headlight not working, around 8.30pm on Friday.

When it was escorted back to the council licensing depot on the same road, inspectors discovered a string of problems including a faulty air bag, an oil leak from the engine, a broken number plate light and astonishingly, a plastic Costa Coffee lid covering the diesel fuel pipe. The fuel had been leaking from the diesel fuel pipe for some time, causing a huge danger to other motorcyclists and road users.

Needless to say, the vehicle was promptly confiscated and placed on a recovery truck. Meanwhile the taxi driver was temporarily suspended until the faults have been repaired and reported to the council.

PC Jason Dooley said: “ West Midlands Police, Sandwell Council and the DVSA take a positive stance in the safety of the road users along with the general paying public that use taxis. “This is a blatant disregard of public safety and one that will be dealt with robustly.

“The driver will be dealt with by council officials and possibly may lose his licence as a taxi driver for a period of time. Let this be a lesson to all public service carrying vehicles that we will be conducting safety checks on taxis with a view to keeping the public safe.”

Officers from the Camera Enforcement Unit were conducting checks with Sandwell Taxi Licensing Department and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency.

Latest piece says was just using the lid as a replacement cap, but the earlier piece says it was covering a leaking fuel line, and that it had been leaking for some time.

So in view of that and the other faults, maybe six months' suspension not inappropriate.