Taxi Driver Online

Council chiefs call for safety talks with taxi drivers


COUNCIL chiefs have asked to meet taxi drivers after a recent safety operation uncovered concerns over the high level of vehicle defects.

A multitude of issues regarding signage, safety equipment and vehicle maintenance were uncovered during checks in Burton as part of a joint initiative organised by East Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire Police and VOSA.

The outcome prompted council chiefs to call for a meeting with taxi bosses in a bid to try to improve vehicle maintenance and safety.

Julia Jessel, deputy leader for regulatory services, said: “As the licensing authority, the council has a duty of care to ensure the safety of the vehicles that have been granted a licence.

“More importantly, the council must ensure the safety of the people who use these licensed vehicles.

“I am disappointed by the number of vehicles found to have faults and, because of this, I have asked council officers to meet with the taxi trade to discuss concerns about standards of vehicle maintenance.”

Of 19 vehicles stopped, 17 held licenses issued by the authority. Three were found to be failing to comply with signage or safety equipment policy. VOSA vehicle inspectors found 11 vehicles with various defects such as inadequate tread depth on tyres, faulty lights and mirrors.

Drivers have been issued with notices requiring action to rectify the faults and these are being followed up.

Drug swabs and dog searches conducted yielded no positive results.

Mohammed Ikhlaq, chairman of the East Staffordshire Private Hire and Taxi Association, said: “Taxi drivers are more than willing to sit down with council bosses to discuss any safety concerns that they may have.

“The taxi trade is stringently checked, including regular operations like this one and also things such as regular MOTs, more than the average driver.

“I would also say that the issues that were uncovered would most likely be found on most people’s cars, if they were subjected to similarly rigorous testing as taxi drivers are.”

The checks were on November 29.


Read more: http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Counci ... z2n3vAbqFW

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

Doesn't say 'illegal tread depth' just 'inadequate', the lights could be anything from no headlights to a blown sidelight bulb and one might have had a cracked mirror.
None were taken off the road, nor any fines issued so the faults must have only been minor. All the tyres must have been ok or they would definately been fined/points/off.

Inadequate probably means less than 3mm. I believe that some councils have it in the conditions that tread must be at least 3mm. In my area it is "advised" that the tread should be at least 3mm.

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Grandad,

When these folks do the checks they have to justify the extra staff costs associated with such checks, often at night.

So they big it up, when it's not always worth bigging up.

I would sooner they spent more time checking to see if the drivers are claiming social etc.

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IDFIMH

Taxi bosses talk about industry 'difficulties'


LEADING taxi drivers have spoke of the ‘difficulties’ that they face in the wake of urgent talks with council bosses over problems with vehicle defects.

Mohammed Ikhlaq, chairman of the East Staffordshire Private Hire and Taxi Association, talked about the challenges currently faced by the taxi trade just to keep businesses going.

He gave an insight into the industry after the Mail revealed that cabbies were set to meet with council bosses after concerns were raised after a recent safety operation uncovered several defects with a number of vehicles in Burton.

He said: “We, like many other trades, are finding it tough at the moment.

“The concerns raised by the council will be addressed and, like I have said before, we are more than willing to sit down with them and discuss any issues they may have and also highlight some problems that we might have also.”

Issues with signage and safety equipment and defects that included inadequate tread depth on tyres, faulty lights and mirrors were found during a safety operation involving East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire Police.

Mr Ikhlaq added: “I have to admit that having issues with tyres is just not good enough and this really needs to be something that is checked all the time by all drivers.

“However, some of the other issues are things that everyone could miss and are people really asking us to do massive car checks before we go on every single job, it is just not something that can be done.

“Rise in fees for licences have hit us hard but we are still a vital part of trade in the area and are doing our best to remain competitive, especially in the run up to Christmas.

“We would all like to reassure people that we are doing a very best to make sure that safety is excellent and we will always work to improve when we need to.”


Read more: http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Taxi-b ... z2n9j1JIcj

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

Theres a nice safety first attitude ffs you want to find some benefit poncesssss try BUCKINGHAM PALACE ELIZABETH VON WINDSOR

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