Taxi Driver Online

Drink drivers and unroadworthy vehicles were targeted in the latest blitz on problem motorists in Leyland.

South Ribble Borough Council joined forces with the police and Vehicle Operator Service Agency (VOSA) on Monday night to launch a vehicle stop check operation at the Civic Centre car park in West Paddock.

Among those pulled over was reporter Sam Chadderton, who received a stern lecture from a police officer for a fault on his car.

The Police Motorway Unit patrolled Leyland from 5pm until 9pm targeting vehicles and occupants who alerted the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operators, fitted a target profile or had been alerted to the authorities via intelligence sources.

VOSA engineers were on hand to perform a series of checks and the council's licensing officers were looking for untaxed or uninsured vehicles and any illegal taxis.

Officers pulled in 12 taxis in total for a range of minor defects, resulting in three licences being suspended.

All were re-issued the next day when the defects were fixed.

One fixed penalty notice was issued for failing to display no smoking signs and a taxi driver was given a written warning for failing to prevent smoking.

Coun Jim Breakell, cabinet member for streetscene services, was there to oversee the operation, said: "We are looking at vehicles which are not roadworthy and, with Christmas in mind, the operation also forms part of the anti-drink driving campaign.

"I've seen a private hire taxi come in with an expired licence and defects so it shouldn't be on the road. It's a very worthwhile operation.

"I wholeheartedly support these operations as they send a clear message to motorists that they will not get away with drink driving, driving without the correct up to date documents or in poorly maintained vehicles.

"All of this helps us to ensure that South Ribble is safe for motorists, pedestrians and taxi drivers alike. I hope that we can carry on working with enforcement agencies to stage more of these operations in the future."

Community safety officer Brian Horrocks said: "The cold snap last week resulted in very icy roads but focused a few minds.

"Motorists must keep their cars in safe condition because they are breaking the law if they don't and are driving vehicles that are a danger to themselves as well as others."

Stop check operations have taken place in South Ribble in the past few months, including targeting boy racers.

The most recent operation - 'Rogue Trader' - was based at the start of the M65, which resulted in more than 15 cars being seized by the authorities.

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

Them smoking stickers really affect vehicle safety.

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IDFIMH

That's a very valid point

CC

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

Does the Failing to prevent mean that there was no No Smoking signs on show which could in itself be construed as Failure to prevent even if no one actually smoked on board, ...... or was it because a Guy the size of a Zebu Bull insisted on lighting up and the driver decided that if he wanted to live to see Christmas he opted to let Zebu Bull man have a few puffs on his Lambert and Butler??

I've had this type of discussion with one of our LO's and it was decided that if the likes of Zebu Bull insisted on smoking I was to pull over and suggest as politely as I can that he smoke outside the vehicle. Who says LO's aren't useful

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

If I was ever to be charged with 'failure to prevent' (100% no chance), I would simply ask the courts why the LOs expected me to boot out Attila the Hun, yet didn't so themselves.

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IDFIMH