Taxi Driver Online

Safety checks find faults on half of vehicles checked



A Vehicle and Operator Services agency officer carries out a thorough inspection on one of the district’s cabs

MORE than half of all taxis stopped during a random police check were unsafe and banned from the road.

Traces of heroin and crack cocaine were also found in four of the 29 cars inspected.

Fifteen cars were taken off the taxi fleet, including five that were deemed an immediate danger and could not be driven away.

Police officers stopped taxis across the borough and informed them to attend Welwyn Hatfield Council's Tewin Road depot.

Drivers were breathalysed and both they and their cabs were swabbed for drugs.

Their cars were also inspected for mechanical faults.

At the depot Pc Tony Welsh told the WHT that despite more than half falling below standard, others drivers - such as Giuseppe Insalaco, pictured - passed with flying colours.

Pc Welsh said: "Some of the cars are extremely good, you'd be happy to get into a car with Giuseppe.

"People like him take care of their vehicles but there are others who don't."

He added: "Coming up to Christmas we want to make sure that every single taxi is up to scratch.

"If a car is dangerous, the driver will be prohibited from using that vehicle until it is rectified."

Defects with those cars which were taken off Welwyn Hatfield's roads included faulty brakes, steering problems, defective tyres, faulty lights and a loose two-way radio in the driver's foot well.

The police checks, with assistance from Welwyn Hatfield Council and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, will continue to take place in the borough without warning.

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

75% of taxis would show traces of drugs, doesnt mean the drivers take them. some do obviously.
But they dont highlight the good things they find.