Taxi Driver Online

Published Date: 06 August 2009 - Chichester Observer

Random safety checks on 11 of the Chichester district's licensed hackney cabs resulted in four of them being taken off the road.

The action was part of a joint initiative called Operation Cabbie involving the district council, Sussex Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

They have joined forces to clamp down on taxis which are not roadworthy, or do not meet the conditions of their licence.

Cllr Heather Caird, council portfolio holder for health, said the operation was about keeping the public safe, and making sure all licensed vehicles were maintained to a high standard.

"Each agency has different legal powers, ranging from instantly removing the car from service, to withdrawal of a driver's taxi licence, or even court prosecution. By combining our enforcement powers we have been able to take action," she added.

Out of 11 cabs inspected by the council's workshop and licensing team and VOSA, four were found to have problems including tyre and steering defects; loose trim; a cracked wing mirror, and a front passenger door that could not be opened.

A report released by the council said the first vehicle inspected had a tyre defect and VOSA issued a prohibition notice preventing the vehicle's use on the public highway. The driver changed the wheel straight away and the notice was lifted.

The inspectors issued a second prohibition notice on a vehicle fitted with a chrome strip along the sill which had become loose. While this was cosmetic rather than structural, the trim was loose and a passenger might have caught their leg on it, causing an injury.

The driver of a third cab was issued with a 'delayed' prohibition notice due to excessive play in the steering box. In addition, the nearside wing mirror was cracked and the front passenger door could not be opened.

The council's officer also issued an improvement notice, requesting the owner have the vehicle repaired and re-inspected at the council's MOT centre.

Another hackney cab was issued with a prohibition notice for two front tyre defects and excessive steering box play.

VOSA vehicle examiner, Nick Waterbridge, said: "The faults we found confirmed random checks like Op Cabbie are needed."

Cllr Caird commented: "All taxis in the district undergo rigorous testing once a year, and it's reassuring to find that the majority of them are safe and well maintained.

"However, we will remain vigilant against those drivers who fail to maintain their vehicles to a safe standard."

Nice to see the council doing something for a change.

But if you read this article carefully, only one was taken off the road, which was universally recognised as a total shed!

But if the truth was told it wouldn't make such a good news article.

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IDFIMH

those loose trims are killers, i remember the case of Shadrak Ebenezer Grumpfutock, 32, spinster of The Nook and Cranery, Upper Thwistendale, High peaks, Near Nowhere, who, returning from a night at the Pheasent Pluckers Arms caught his cufflink (a present from the village whippet and ferret lovers society) on a protruding section of plastic trim and the zirconia stone was sent flying across the road catching Shadraks faithfull cat Lucky (1 eye, a leg lost in an accident and neutered at age 2) killing him outright.

so just be warned

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

We had VOSA out this weekend all over the taxis at the tunnel entrance & exit. Pulling over all taxis and ph that came out or went into the tunnel. They were all over one poor driver's car from a large firm in Sefton. I'm sure if they did well it will be in the local rag soon enough

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

eleven? was it just a 10 minute sting then?

i wonder what the cost:faults ratio was....

couldnt the LO just have walked round the rank?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

That is a strange name for a spinster. More suited to a batchelor I would have thought.

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Grandad,

This was during his/her gender change period to qualify for an operation to whip off the meat and 2 veg, the NHS paid despite having no money for more staff or hospital beds for the dying, gender changes/IVF/asylum seekers wanting various ops not available in uzbhekistan all come first

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

He/she had lucky preserved by a taxi dermist




I wonder what speed this going to come through a wall...

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

That would explain it.

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Grandad,