Unsafe vehicles ordered off road

SIXTEEN vehicles which ferry pupils to and from schools have been taken off the road following safety checks. Minibuses, Hackney Carriage cabs and private hire taxis were subjected to thorough inspections across Hertfordshire during March.

A total of 56 vehicles were stopped in the multi-agency operation - 35 defects were found, with 16 vehicles having faults serious enough for them to be taken off the road immediately.

Police, councils and VOSA - the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency - were involved in the operation. Inspector Keith Tilley, of Herts Constabulary's road policing policy unit, said: "The purpose of this operation was to ensure that the vehicles were reaching the required standards of roadworthiness, and it was disappointing to see that so many vehicles had defects which could easily have been remedied. "We will continue to carry out these types of checks throughout the rest of 2007."

County councillor Stuart Pile, executive member with responsibility for road safety, said: "The number of vehicles with defects is a serious cause for concern, but shows the importance of carrying out these operations.

"The drivers of these vehicles put at risk the lives of not only themselves, but also of their passengers and that is unacceptable. "I would urge anyone who drives members of the public to get their vehicles serviced on a regular basis to ensure their safety and that of other road users.

Dereg/Delimit will force more and more otherwise responsible drivers to enconomise on the essentials and work dangerously long hour to make a living.

Don't be so stupid. [-X

How can paying up to £80,000 for a piece of plastic help keep vehicle standards high? ](*,)

Because people who can raise £80K often know what they are doing. It keeps out the chancers and riff raff.

It shows commitment.

What like Blackpool and Liverpool? Where plate premium is king, and vehicle standards are sh**. :sad:

And 72% of taxis, and 100% of PH, in the country haven't any commitment? [-(

Reply from T.
72% of Taxis and 100% of PH can walk away tomorrow into another job. If you invested a sustantial sum in a business you are likley to give it your utmost effort, firstly to gain a return on the investment and secondly to recoup that initial investment. You have a vested interest in ensuring the business is successful. That's the real world, beyond Sussex.

So people spend £80k on a business without thinking about how they will get a return on that investment. Are the bankruptcy courts of Blackpool and Liverpool jamed up with failed taxi drivers?

No, but I bet the waiting list for a free plate is jamed up freeloaders.

Anything you get for nothing is worth exactly what you pay for it

72% of Taxis and 100% of PH can walk away tomorrow into another job. If you invested a sustantial sum in a business you are likley to give it your utmost effort, firstly to gain a return on the investment and secondly to recoup that initial investment. You have a vested interest in ensuring the business is successful. That's the real world, beyond Sussex.

No, because if the cartel is stable then if they can't make a go of it then they'll just sell it on and repay the loan.

Like you when you were on it :lol:

Do as I say, not as I do [-(

Anything you get for nothing is worth exactly what you pay for it

Says a lot about you then T. :D

So there is an endless supply of people willing to invest £80k in a business that is not making money. Win Win situation, why isnt everybody with £80k on this money-go-round.

When I was on the waiting list I was making my contribution by working and continuing the service to the public. The waiting list should only be open to licensed drivers.

As above I paid for my plate with the time I put in as a driver.

Yes it does show I have made a contibution to the trade and have real commitment to it.