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THIRD OF CABS FAIL SAFETY CHECKS
Thursday, November 2: Checks on cabs in Dacorum revealed failing brake pads, worn tyres and faulty lights.
Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles were examined by inspectors in a joint operation involving police and council staff.
Thirty vehicles were stopped in the checks at West Herts College and the Civic Centre in Hemel Hempstead.
One taxi driver who could not produce the correct insurance to cover picking up and carrying paying customers had his car confiscated.
It was towed away and the driver was ordered to produce his insurance details.
Six drivers were served immediate prohibitions - meaning they were allowed to drive their cars home but were banned from using them again until the faults were fixed.
These orders were given for things like faulty brake pads, worn tyres and loose exhausts.
Two drivers were issued delayed prohibitions for lights not working, which meant the drivers were given a fixed time to get the faults repaired.
A further four drivers were given verbal warnings for concerns raised about their vehicles.
PC Jacqueline Miles of the Road Policing Unit said: "The purpose of this operation was to ensure that the vehicles were reaching the required standards of roadworthiness.
"These cars carry members of the public, so it is important that people can be confident the vehicle is safe."
The operation was carried out between Herts Police, the Department for Work and Pensions, Dacorum Council and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
Tony Clarke, secretary of Hemel Hempstead Taxi Association, welcomed the checks and said no dangerous faults had been discovered.
"There was nothing major found. It's a good thing the vehicles are kept in check and it gives confidence to the public," he said.
Mr Clarke said he understood it was a technicality that led to the the driver having problems with his insurance.
"As far as I know he has been driving for years but we don't condone it and it's a good job he has been pulled up."
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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin
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