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Joint inspection forces taxis to get into gear
Warwick District Council and Warwickshire Police completed a routine taxi inspection on Friday 26th September 2008, which disappointingly revealed that only 4 out of 24 taxis inspected were fit for purpose.
The joint inspection of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles with the Police took place in Warwick and Leamington. A total of 24 vehicles were inspected, 18 hackney carriages (17 from Warwick District and one from Coventry) and 6 private hire vehicles from Warwick District.
Of all the vehicles inspected, only four had no faults. The rest of the vehicles revealed problems ranging from failing to display fare cards to numerous, more dangerous faults including:
- Faulty lights
- Leaking exhausts
- Defective and incorrectly inflated tyres
- Damaged bodywork
- No seat belts for rear passengers
- Defective or inadequate fire extinguishers and first aid kits
- Faulty steering
Police officers issues two cars with 'tickets' under the Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (VDRS). This requires the driver to take immediate action to rectify a serious fault. If evidence is produced to show the necessary work has been completed within the given timescales, then no further action is taken. Some vehicles have had to take a further MOT and inspection where the faults have been rectified.
Taxi driver licenses are issued by Warwick District Council, subject to annual renewal. Responsibility to ensure that cars are licensed and road legal is the responsibility of the driver and their Taxi Company.
Councillor Michael Kinson, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: "Vehicle safety is of paramount importance at all times, but especially when carrying fare paying passengers. Joint inspections are carried out on a regular basis. We will not hesitate to take the appropriate action when faults are found. In some cases this could lead to prosecution and loss of the driver’s taxi licence."
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