Taxi Driver Online

Carlisle taxi failed safety inspection seven times


A Carlisle taxi driver faces disciplinary action after his cab failed routine safety checks seven times in two years.

James Douglas Jeffery, 39, of Welsh Road, Harraby, could be stripped of his taxi licence by the city council’s regulatory panel next Wednesday.

Routine inspections found a catalogue of faults on his 2001-registered London-style cab.

The steering was suspect on six occasions, there were five instances of faulty brakes and lights, four instances of defective bodywork and three suspension faults.

The most recent inspection – in December – revealed two worn tyres.

A report to councillors says: “After the vehicle failed its test on April 14, 2008, Mr Jeffery was written to pointing out its repeated failures and apparent lack of any pre-inspection before taking it to the council’s garage.

“He was warned that, should the vehicle fail again on any obvious faults, the matter would be referred to the council’s regulatory panel.

“On its next test, on August 18, the vehicle again failed and was subsequently taken off the road whilst substantial repairs were done to its bodywork and paintwork.

“On its most recent inspection in December, the vehicle again failed and the plate was removed because of the illegal tyres.

“The defects were rectified the next day and the plate returned.”

Taxis more than five years old are tested at the council’s garage at Bousteads Grassing three times a year.

Mr Jeffery’s cab failed seven consecutive inspections between December 18, 2006, and December 15, 2008.

Councillors have a range of powers should they decide to punish him, from issuing a letter of warning to revoking his taxi licence altogether.

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

Either he is unlucky, or a prize pillock.

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IDFIMH

I wonder why he doesnt get his cab checked over before test.....okay I know why and I guess if he pays the outstanding monies the garage in question will be delighted to tell him to **** *** in the future.

CC

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

'Unsafe' car costs Carlisle cabbie his taxi licence



A Carlisle cab driver has been stripped of his taxi licence after his vehicle failed routine safety checks seven times in two years.

James Douglas Jeffery, 39, of Welsh Road, Harraby, says the decision could make him homeless. He plans to appeal to Carlisle magistrates.

The city council’s regulatory panel heard that inspections found a catalogue of faults on Mr Jeffery’s 2001-registered black cab.

The steering was suspect on six occasions, there were five counts of faulty brakes and lights, four instances of defective bodywork and three suspension faults.

The most recent inspection revealed two illegal tyres.

The panel’s chairman, David Morton, said: “The first priority of the regulatory panel is to ensure the safety of the public.

“We cannot ignore the fact that there have been repeated instances of defective brakes and steering.

“We take the view you have been less than careful.

“We don’t think you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence.”

Mr Jeffery disputed that his tyres had been illegal.

He said the bodywork faults had been masked by advertisements on the cab but had been put right.

He added: “I’m sorry that I’m here I won’t be in this situation again.

“I’ve arranged for my taxi to go to another garage. The car is always going to be in a roadworthy condition.

“Driving is important to me. It’s my only source of income. If I lose my licence, I’m going to end up on the streets.”

Mr Jeffery was warned after his cab failed an inspection last April. It failed again in August and was taken off the road while repairs were done to the bodywork.

At its most recent inspection in December, the vehicle again failed and was ordered off the road a second time to replace worn tyres.

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

It would seem that he has got this bit right.

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Grandad,

His car was a 2001 plate with no doubt a million miles on the clock, surely it would have paid him to get new motor and scrap the one he was driving because it was costing him to much in repairs and time off the road. Cap it's over to you.

I dont like age restrictions and unfortunately cases like this make it difficult to speak against them.

I think a council should be able to use the power they have to encourage drivers to maintain vehicles better......if you pass your test 1st time on all occasions then why have three tests per year? Why not make it two or one depending upon your performance?

I'm not sure how it makes the driver unfit and proper, in my view it means he is sh*t at maintaining his cab.....not necessarily the same as sh*t at driving it.

CC

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

With defective brakes and steering X2 he deserves to be taken off the road IMO. If you keep on top of your repairs it's not going to cost you your living by loosing your badge, plate and vehicle.

erm, is it me or is there something odd in that statement?




his eyesight needs checking too then, first job of the day is a "walkround" (and you should start the tacho before if your on one...lol)

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

It's hard to get away from the fact that the legislation gives the council a wide discretion.

61 Suspension and revocation of drivers' licences (1) Notwithstanding anything in the Act of 1847 or in this Part of this Act, a district council may suspend or revoke or (on application therefor under section 46 of the Act of 1847 or section 51 of this Act, as the case may be) refuse to renew the licence of a driver of a hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle on any of the following grounds—

(a) that he has since the grant of the licence—

(i) been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, indecency
or violence; or

(ii) been convicted of an offence under or has failed to comply with
the provisions of the Act of 1847 or of this Part of this Act; or

(b) any other reasonable cause.
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He is going to have be extremely convincing if he is to get his proprietor license back but I suspect that is not entirely beyond the bounds of probability.

His drivers license revocation is most interesting, should it have been suspended and what was the reason why?

Regards

JD

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