Taxi Driver Online

Not very exciting.

Not sure why the Echo blurred out the number plate, because they embedded the Dorset Police tweet about the crackdown on their webpage, which shows the registration number reasonably well - see photo at bottom of this post.

In fact, on the slightly higher resolution photo linked to beneath the second photo, you can just about read the HC plate number as well - looks like maybe 60 (or 50), but pretty sure it ends with a zero


Two taxis in Bournemouth taken off the road by police

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/ ... ad-police/


Image: Daily Echo

POLICE removed two taxis from the road yesterday in a crackdown in unsafe taxis.

Dorset Traffic Cops joined Bournemouth Police and BCP Council licensing officers who enforce laws for licensed and unlicensed taxis.

The traffic cops say they stopped numerous vehicles, with two being “instantly removed” from service due to alleged defects or document issues.

The enforcement is part of a wider crackdown to remove unsafe taxis from Bournemouth and Dorset’s roads – codenamed Operation Carriage.

In March, Dorset Police warned the public about the dangers of getting in unlicensed taxis.

Dorset Police said it was aware of new groups on social media platforms in Bournemouth and Poole where drivers are operating unofficial taxi or lift services.

Detective Constable Christian Bryant, of Bournemouth CID, said: “Unlicensed drivers will not have undergone background checks, are unlikely to be insured to carry passengers in their vehicles which could be in a dangerous condition, and may be targeting lone and vulnerable men and women.

“We would urge the public not to use the services of people offering lifts on unofficial social media groups and instead book a lift with a licensed and reputable taxi company.

“There is an inherent risk in accepting lifts from strangers and most people wouldn’t dream of doing so, but for women travelling alone, getting into an unlicensed cab is just as risky as getting into the car of a complete stranger.”



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhYGxxQX0AI ... name=large

First mention on here of Facebook groups in Bournemouth was in 2018

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33759&p=386733

This is even less exciting, but does the mere presence of traffic police mean LOs can check out-of-area cars?


Taxi safety operation declared a great success

https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/231 ... t-success/

A JOINT operation between police and licensing officers in Craven found the majority of taxis in the district are operating in a safe and proper way.

The taxi compliance operation on Friday, November 4 was aimed at checking the safety and legality of licensed taxis, private hire vehicles and drivers.

The joint operation meant council licensing officers,working alongside road traffic police, were able to carry out the checks on all taxis driving through the district, irrespective of their licensing authority.

The checks included ensuring the road worthiness of vehicles, ensuring that necessary signage and documentation and equipment such as ID badges, and that first aid kits and fire extinguishers were carried.

A total of 26 vehicles were stopped and only two vehicles were found to have non-functional full headlights and a handful of drivers were provided advice on their documentation.

Councillor Chris Moorby, chair of Craven District Council’s licensing committee, said: “The public should be reassured by the success of the operation.

“The safety of vehicles operating in the district and those driving them is important, and its great that no major concerns where found. Council officers will continue to carry out these operations to ensure standards remain high. I thank the team for their hard work and the support of North Yorkshire Police - without their support we couldn’t deliver these operations. I am also grateful to the drivers who were stopped during the operation for their cooperation.”

Sgt Pete Stringer, of North Yorkshire Police, added: “During the checks and engaging with taxi drivers, it is obvious most drivers operate safely. The vast majority were very cooperative and the operation was well received.”

For more details about taxis in Craven, visit: https://www.cravendc.gov.uk/licensing/t ... ing-taxis/

Apart from the ones who disappeared from the streets when word got round, obviously

depends where they live because I have known the police to turn up at off duty drivers houses and order them to attend the testing station

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Doubt they'd turn up at someone's house at random, though. Presumably it would be for a specific reason, so not quite the same as a random stop.

when they have done such testing round here there are two motorcycle cops brought in to track down the vehicle and order them to attend the testing station they usually are equipped with a council provided list of vehicles and addresses

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Can they "order them"? I thought that a driver could refuse provided that they agreed to have the vehicle inspected within a certain time period at their own expense.

I mean if the police knocked on my door whilst I was off duty and "ordered me" to attend it may be a bit difficult if I had had a drink or 2.

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Grandad,

The police can stop anyone.

Council officials cannot check everyone.

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IDFIMH

Wouldn’t it be a shame if the driver ordered at home to attend a testing station had an alcohol drink in his hand

The Police cannot order you to follow them unless they serve a section 68 notice on the driver. So the police officer pulls you up and if he cannot find a defect you can refuse to go. He has two choices, he can let you go or he can arrest you, hopefully he arrests you.

On what basis are such vehicles selected for attendance at the test station and enforced by motorcycle cops rolling up at an 'off duty' driver's house to order such attendance?

When I have been pulled they wait for you to pick up off the rank and once you are on your way they blue light you and pull you and tell you to attend the testing station once you have dropped off

I have also spoken to drivers who received a knock on the door telling them to take their vehicle to the test station

That said they haven't done one locally for nearly 20 years although Grotsville has had a couple

with the LO's based in grotsville they don't like visiting Stamford more than once a year preferring to sit in the CCTV control room in grotsville and watching on the cameras or sitting at their desks going through paperwork with a fine toothcomb to catch a driver/owner out who has made a mistake

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Yes, Edders, your final paragraph just about nails it. But don't you mean they're part of the new laptop class WFH?

Probably not, but, I mean...

And interesting the procedure you outline for pulling you for a test with POB.

Interesting, that is, assuming it's just a random pull

But, by the same token, you still haven't directly addressed my point about why off-duty drivers should be visited at home and directed to the official station for a test. I suspect it's not entirely random.

But if that happens to me I'll just have to say that I've just downed a dozen cans of lager, and just hope they don't search my gaffe and discover there's zero alcohol in it

I don't know, but maybe they were waiting for a Passenger to Board so they can "Witness" the Driver working.

You also say it hasn't happened for 20 years, so maybe that method of checking you are working is no longer used.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related