Taxi Driver Online

Official council press release

Two plates removed (although one managed to get the defect repaired on site - new tyre fitted, I'd guess), but spot what's missing from the stuff below

13 councils involved, plus HMRC, though


Partnership taxi opp helps keep district’s roads safe

https://www.nwleics.gov.uk/news/2023/05 ... roads_safe

Published: Wed 31 May, 2023

More than 100 taxis were randomly spot checked in a recent multi-agency operation near East Midlands Airport.

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), Leicestershire Police and other local authorities stopped 106 taxis and private hire vehicles near East Midlands Airport to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.

During the operation taxis were stopped by police officers and examined, while licensing officers interviewed the drivers.

The checks included ensuring all vehicles were roadworthy and checking that necessary signage, documentation and equipment such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers were carried.

Of the 106 vehicles stopped during the operation, two had their taxi plates removed by licensing teams because of tyre defects. One of the drivers was able to resolve the issues on site and the plate was returned.

The joint operation saw 13 Midlands authorities join NWLDC, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the police to inspect some of the hundreds of taxis that travel through the district each day.

Throughout the year licensing teams carry out roadside spot checks to make sure that standards are being kept to, as well as to identify and take action against unlicensed drivers and vehicles working illegally.

For further information or to report any concerns about unsafe or illegal taxis or private hire vehicles email licensing@nwleicestershire.gov.uk.

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: “Joint operations are an important part of our work to keep the public, and taxi drivers, safe. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to East Midlands Airport for providing a site for the inspections to take place.

“We take the safety of anyone using a taxi or private hire vehicle in and around the district extremely seriously. It’s reassuring to see the majority of drivers and taxis observing safety rules, but we will continue to monitor standards and plan more operations in the future.”

So two plates removed, but zero mention of any issues short of requiring plate removal

I mean, seems unlikely that they stopped 106 cars and there were no problems other than with two cars requiring the removal of their plates

On the other hand, at least it's not one of those news releases that make it sound like worn but legal tyres and badges not properly displayed are a mortal danger to the public

I wonder how many were reported despite there not being a requirement for one or the other in their licensing conditions

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

Drives me mad about these things.

The Fire Brigade folks say don't attempt to put a fire out without proper training, the same kind of views from the medical professionals i.e. don't do stuff without adequate training.

Yet we have councils expecting taxi/PH drivers to have still to buy and maintain equipment that no f***er wants us to use.

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IDFIMH

I had to attend the Leicestershire County Council helping hands training course this week, they suddenly decided that it needs to be taken every 3 years without telling anyone. I did tell them at the start of the course that I was the designated troublemaker so when it came to first aid kits and fire extinguishers I put my hand up.
trainer 1 yes, you have a question?
me yes, why do we have to carry a fire extinguisher?
trainer 1 (sarcastically) er, to put out a fire.
Me but we are not trained to put out fires and the Leicestershire fire and rescue service advise is not to tackle a vehicle fire because we would be putting ourselves in danger but to get out of the vehicle and move away to a safe distance and do not attempt to put out the fire.
trainer 1 but the fire service will provide a fire extinguisher for use in the home.
Me there is no comparison between a fire in your kitchen and a fire in a car with a tank full of petrol that could be leaking out. Also what about electric cars and hybrids? what fire extinguisher should be carried? the ones that you advise are not suitable for these vehicles and are certainly not big enough to put a car fire out.
trainer 1 (starting to get angry) but, but.
trainer 2 i can answer this. You have to carry a fire extinguisher because alyhough you may not be able to use it some one else at an incident may be able to use it.
me so now I have to provide equipment for any man and his dog to use at my expense.
Trainer 2 erm.
Trainer 1 you have to carry an extinguisher because it is in our contract terms end of.

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Grandad,

When I first started, we had to have fire extinguishers.

I wasn’t too bothered I had just left the RN and had 22 years of constant fire-fighting training.

At the induction I pointed out, as Grandad said, LFB say get everyone out, move away, stay away and call the Brigade. Do not attempt to fight the fire.

I joined the local Association and was co-opted on to the Committee. The position soon got on to the Agenda for Trade Discussion with the LA and I got a Fire Officer to attend…..

So, no more extinguishers in Hack or PH.

Strangely I had more extinguishers on my Boat than were required by the regulations and was happy to do so. If you are at Sea and a have a fire, an out-of-date fire extinguisher could become a handy bit of kit. I also had a highly toxic Fixed Halon system in the engine room.

Never been a requirement on the First Aid Kit while I have been a Taxi Driver, but I usually had one, full of the out-of-date stuff that I did have to have on the boat. On the odd time I used it, nobody complained that the bandage or plaster or antiseptic gel were past their best before.

Anyone who has to do one of these stupid courses should make it clear that they will NEVER contemplate using a fire extinguisher, nor will they EVER give it to someone else to use.

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Chris The Fish

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

So they and those that pay them are actually going against Government's Best Practice.

Emergency equipment

8.19 The National Fire Chief Council (NFCC) recommend that licensing authorities require
fire extinguishers to be provided in vehicles, should ensure that suitable and
sufficient training is received by the drivers.
8.20 The NFCC’s advice is that if a licensing authority elects not to require drivers to
undertake training on the safe way to tackle a vehicle fire, vehicles should not be
required to carry fire extinguishers and drivers advised to get out and stay out of the
vehicle and call 999, rather than attempting to firefight.

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IDFIMH

Thanks for that Sussex, I know where this will be sent later.

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Grandad,

I had a phone call yesterday from trainer 1 to say that he had looked into the Government best practice guidance and did some research on fighting vehicle fires and he said that he could see what I was getting at and was going to raise it with his superiors along with first aid kits because whilst speaking to Leicester City Council it was explained to him why the city council had just removed the first aid kit requirement from their policy (strangely they kept the fire extinguisher requirement for now).

_________________
Grandad,

Delighted about that, but isn't part of the trainer's job to keep up to date on what he is trying to get across?

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IDFIMH

Back in 2013 when I got a Toyota hybrid car, the LO asked about fire extinguishers. I asked what type I should have. He said well, a fire extinguisher. But what type? For petrol, electrical or flammable materials? There's not room in a small hybrid for one extinguisher, let alone 2 or 3. And to what BS marking? No answer. i know what type I have to carry in my bus and what type I must not carry and to what BS spec. ButI doubt I'd ever use one in a bus fire.