Taxi Driver Online

Almost half the vehicles stopped in a multi agency “taxi check” in Weston-super-Mare had defects, it has been revealed.

Road Policing Unit officers joined forces with vehicle inspector officers and North Somerset Council licensing officers for the evening operation (Friday May 13).

A total of 29 vehicles were stopped. Of these 13 had various offences, nine licensing plates were seized from taxi and private hire vehicles – seven were retained and the remaining two returned to drivers after defects were rectified.

Police officers issued six endorsable fixed penalty tickets for various offences and defects plus vehicle defect rectification scheme forms for illegal tyres and a faulty exhaust. Two drivers were also asked to produce their driving documents at a police station of their choice.

Inspector John Bullen of Avon and Somerset’s Road Policing Unit said: “I am extremely surprised and disappointed by the numbers and seriousness of the defects disclosed.

“Almost half – 48 per cent of the vehicles stopped - had a defect of some description. The most serious offences were a fuel line leak and a brake fluid leak. Other offences included defects on exhausts, steering and eight problem tyres.

“Last year during the month of November we conducted two similar checks. The first resulted in 40 per cent of vehicles checked having defects. A second check was conducted only weeks later to ensure the defects had been addressed. The number of offences dropped by 16 per cent.

“Unfortunately, the latest check resulting in almost half the vehicles having defects is not acceptable. It is our intention to undertake further checks in the near future in order to improve safety on the roads, not only for road users but in particular the public utilising these vehicles,”

Councillor Deborah Yamanaka North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Community Councillor Deborah Yamanaka said “ These latest results show the importance of carrying out stop checks on licensed vehicles in North Somerset and similar action will be repeated to ensure the council fulfils its duty to protect the public.”

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