Taxi Driver Online

It’s a ‘fare’ cop as Police Scotland and Highland Council trading standards check out Inverness taxi operators were working correctly and had roadworthy vehicles

More than 50 taxis and private hire cars have been stopped and checked during a joint operation by Police Scotland and Highland Council trading standards.

The operation on Friday, November 13 in the Inverness area involved checks to ensure drivers are operating within the terms of their taxi licence and that vehicles are roadworthy.

PC Mark Dalloway, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “It is important that the public have faith that professional drivers are conducting their business safely and legally. The vast majority of taxi and private hire drivers operate safely. However, where issues are found, we will take necessary action.

“We acknowledge that these are challenging times, and I would like to thank the taxi trade for their support and co-operation.”

Mark McGInty, from trading standards, said: “The joint operation was a first since we entered the pandemic. Since the end of March our officers have been engaging with the trade at a distance, and the monitoring of compliance with regards to vehicle safety and driver standards has been done remotely. Today this work was done face-to-face, jointly with Police Scotland, and I am very pleased with the level of compliance found.

“A total of 56 inspections took place which involved checking the roadworthiness of the vehicle, the legal documentation required to be in the vehicle, and other safety measures such as a fire extinguisher and first aid kit. Of this 56, only one vehicle failed the inspection for a defective tyre, with that matter rectified within the hour. This is very pleasing news and offers great assurance not only to the enforcement authorities but to the users, the public, for whom it is an obligation to ensure their transit is safe and legal.

“I’d like to thank the taxis and private hire cars we engaged with for their co-operation, and ensuring that travel in this way is as safe as it can be at this time.”

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IDFIMH

I think this is a different Highland Council zone. Not quite so successful here, but I don't suppose one mechanical suspension, one absent MoT and one uninsured out of 50+ is the world's worst.

However, particularly when reading the first piece, I wonder if they're downplaying more minor faults etc?

I mean, wouldn't reflect that well on the council if they said they've been monitoring the trade 'remotely' during lockdown, but in that time things have gone to hell in a handcart.


One taxi licence suspended in the Highlands after more than 50 stopped in joint police and trading standards operation

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... operation/

One taxi licence was suspended in the Highlands following a joint police and trading standards operation.

More than 50 taxis and private hire cars were stopped and checked over the last month across Fort William and Easter Ross.

One vehicle had their taxi licence suspended due to mechanical defects.

In addition, one taxi stopped had no valid MOT and another held no insurance.

Officers were checking to see if drivers were operating within the terms of their taxi licence and ensuring their vehicles were roadworthy and had the correct documentation.

PC Siobhan Sharkey from the Highlands and Islands Road Policing Unit said: “The vast majority of taxi and private hire drivers operate safely within the terms of their licence.

“This is incredibly important to ensure public and road safety and in turn provide the public reassurance.

“The drivers/operator will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

“I would like to also thank the taxi trade for their support and co-operation during our operation.”

Mark McGinty, Trading Standards Team Leader said: “This is the second joint operation Trading Standards have conducted with Police Scotland to meet with the Taxi and Private Hire Trade in recent weeks.

“Officers have taken the opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by the trade at this time as well as ensuring that those involved and the vehicles are operating in a safe and legal manner.

“Whilst it gives me confidence that the public is safe when using a Taxi or Private Hire Car and that the vast majority of the trade are complying with the law, it is concerning to note that some have not kept to their legal obligations and have been found without certain documents and equipment which should be carried in the vehicle, all of which could have implications in the event of an accident.

“I’d ask operators and drivers to ensure that they meet these obligations at all times whilst conducting their business.

“I’d like to thank all for their co-operation.”

Presumably this is with a view to prosecution for the car without the MoT, and the car without insurance.

Remember that the operator in Scotland is the plateholder, so presumably the drivers here don't own the cars. So how many such drivers will check whether or not the car they're driving is MoTd and insured? Very few, I'd guess. And should they be held responsible if they don't?

My friendly traffic cop has always said ," MoT, insurance and licence documents should be carried in vehicle, especially if the proprietor allows some one else to work the vehicle".

Recall years ago that police advice was *not* to keep documents in the car, but if you were stopped and didn't have them, they'd give you a 'producer'

(I'm talking about motorists generally above, not the trade.)

Anyway, after getting a producer once, I started carrying them all the time. Never once needed them, so they're not actually in the car at the moment (took them out to renew licences and insurance) and don't know if I'll bother putting them back in

Of course, I think police can do all these sort of checks automatically these days - ANPR, and all that. And while I suspect they can still, er, produce producers in law, I'd guess they aren't used much these days.

Anyway, even if the documents were kept in the HC/PHV, I'd guess that the average 'jockey' wouldn't consider it their responsibility to check them.