Taxi Driver Online

Valley taxis defects shock

SUBJECT TO CHECKS: This Rossendale taxi is among those vehicles properly licensed
ONE in three taxis in Rossendale have been found guilty of breaching their licensing conditions.

During a spot check a total of 26 vehicles were stopped during a joint enforcement exercise carried out between the police and Rossendale Council's licensing unit.

Nine of the vehicles were issued with defect notices for one of more licensing breaches including working without a properly working fare meter, driving with defective lights, and driving without properly displayed vehicle licence plates.One taxi stopped had its front bumper hanging off.

In addition, two drivers were not displaying their hackney carriage identification badge which indicates that they are licensed to drive a taxi and one driver was found to have an unreported conviction for dishonesty.

Coun David Barnes, chairman of the licensing committee. said: "We carry out these checks from time to time to ensure that the taxis on our roads are in a fit and proper state. When people use local taxis they expect that certain minimum standards should apply to ensure their safety and well being and provide reassurance that they are paying the right fare and that the driver is properly licensed.

"That is why all taxi drivers and taxi vehicles, hackney carriage or private hire are licensed.

"As a council we are keen to work with local taxi firms and drivers to stamp out illegal taxis.

"As part of this we encourage anyone who is using a taxi to take a few moments to check that the taxi they are about to get into is properly licensed and the driver is a bona-fide taxi driver, by looking for taxi vehicle plates displayed on the front and rear, and checking that the driver is wearing a photographic identify badge.

"Our advice is not to use a taxi if it is not properly licensed.

"Unlicensed vehicles and drivers are not insured, the vehicles are not checked regularly for faults and the driver has not been checked with the Criminal Records Bureau.

"That is why these random checks are so important - they act as a reminder to the bone-fide drivers to ensure that their vehicles meet the high standards that the public expect."

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