Taxi Driver Online

Police order Blackburn ‘danger’ taxis off the road


HALF of all taxis stopped by police in a safety crackdown were too dangerous to be on the road.

Officers said that 11 of the 22 stopped in Blackburn were temporarily taken off the road due to ‘serious defects’.

They included broken lights, illegal tyres and hazardous electrical systems.

An additional three were given seven days to rectify more minor defects.

Three vehicles were taken off the road completely after they were found to be a danger to passengers and other road users.

Officers also visited pubs in the Roe Lee area after residents complained about taxis causing obstructions while waiting for customers to leave the pubs.

Sgt Jon Cisco, who ran the operation in Blackburn, said: “Most taxis are operated and driven properly and by drivers who take great care of their passengers.

“Unfortunately there are some who are less stringent in their standards and it is these who we are targeting.

“The taxi industry is a large employer and provider of an important service. The majority of drivers stick to the rules but those that don’t bring the industry into disrepute and endanger the public.

"This operation is all about safety, both for the driver and their passengers.”

Chris Allen, head of public protection for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “These results are quite shocking and show the importance of on-the-spot checks.

“Almost half were taken off the road until the defects were repaired and three were stopped completely.

“Safety is paramount and drivers need to understand they have a duty to ensure their vehicles are kept in correct working order.”

The operation followed a serious crackdown in Accrington when police checked 24 taxis during a five-hour road side safety operation in Eagle Street.

Of those tested, four were temporarily taken off the road for various defects.

Several drivers were warned about failing to comply with their licence, such as not wearing ID badges and failing to carry the correct safety equipment.

Twelve drivers were given Fixed Penalty Notices for offences including illegal tyres, failing to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... _the_road/

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

I bet the other half that didn't get stopped breathed a huge sigh after the last cop car went off shift that night.

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