Taxi Driver Online

Prom Stretch Limo Firms Targeted by Police

28th July 2008

Police have seized ten limousines used for take children to school proms, in a clampdown on potentially-dodgy luxury cars.

The move, codenamed Operation Merger, saw traffic police out in force at end-of-term proms across Essex, checking stretch limos booked by youngsters.

As a result of the checks, 66 chauffeurs have been reported for motoring offences.

A total of 35 drivers were ordered not to drive any more that day after being found to have driven more than their hours, or because their vehicles were un-roadworthy.

Ten vehicles were seized after their drivers were found not to have a licence or insurance.

The school prom for Basildon’s Chalvedon School, at Orsett Hall, was one of those raided by police.

Police say too many stretch limos are “cut-and-shut jobs” bits of different vehicles badly welded together in a dangerous fashion.

Such limos are un-roadworthy, as they are not built to normal safety standards and could disintegrate in a crash.

Insp Richard Phillibrown, of Essex Police, hailed the recent raids as a success.

He said: “While I have no wish to disrupt the enjoyment of students attending social events, my primary concern is maintaining their safety and that of other road-users.

“The enforcement activity has show significant returns and I intend to continue attempts to work more closely with operators.”

Earlier in the year, Essex Police’s commercial vehicle investigation department wrote to schools, suggesting they warn parents of the risks of hiring limousines.

The force also invited limo operators to a presentation on safety – an event which eventually had to be cancelled, because there was so little interest in attending.


Brummie Cabbie's Comment; Lovely Jubbly!!!

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
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Are these drivers just thick, or are they blatantly ignoring the law?

Of all the places to try it on Essex is renown for targeting illegal Limos.

And a bloody good job the Police do to.

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IDFIMH

Just a couple of points. To say that stretched limousines are made from different vehicles is hogwash. They are all certified by the coachbuilder and inspected before they can be used.
Unless the limo requires a tachograph there is no such thing as drivers hours for limo drivers any more than there are for taxi drivers.

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Grandad,

There is now

I presume you will be writing post-haste to Inspector Richard Phillibrown of Essex Police to tell him he got it wrong then.

Perhaps the reporter got the wrong end if the stick about that; that's not unusual with reporters. Most of them should be authors of fiction instead.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

I think you will find that the officer has been advised that he has some parts wrong. I must point out that I am in favour of these checks and anyone who is operating incorrectly deserves all they get but sometimes "facts" are quoted that are to daft for words.

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Grandad,

Both.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Wouldn't that depend on the coachbuilder?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6dCuz34LRU

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Whatever the good and perceived bad points of this article are, at least it shows the Police and VOSA are now taking the issue of the unlicensed mob seriously.

In London, I have'nt seen any dodgy 'Fire engines' for many months, and the traditional chav transporters seem to have dwindled in numbers.

It appears someone really went to town on these operators. What's the view on the limo boards?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Does anyone know if any so called schedule 6 limos were found to be operating out-with the law?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I think you will find the top gear stuff was done just for television.

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Grandad,

There is not much on there at the moment. I think some people are trying to find out more details regarding which limos were involved.

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Grandad,

I had to wait until the last prom of the season before I saw any fire engines this year. They were in Stoke on trent and one of them was using the sirens as he approached the school, which is totally illegal, to55ers.

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Grandad,

Not so sure about that.

If a driver is employed then drivers hours are limited.

Ask Tom Thumb on here to clarify, as he employs many of his cab drivers.

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IDFIMH