Taxi drivers have defended the standard of their vehicles after a ‘disturbing’ number of defects were discovered in the latest round of spot checks in Aylesbury.
Eight of the 13 vehicles stopped and checked had ‘serious defects’ and had their plates removed in an operation by police, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and licensors.
These eight will only be reissued with a licence once problems are fixed and an MOT is completed.
Six fixed penalty notices were also issued during the operation on September 4. One of these was issued to a driver who was ‘not in a position to have proper control of his vehicle’ as his CB radio set was under his seat, two were for defective number plates, two were for defective tyres and one was for an exhaust that had broken away.
Sergeant Simon Hills said: “These results are somewhat disturbing, we rely on the professionalism of our private hire and hackney carriage drivers to keep their passengers safe on the roads.
“To find that 85% of the vehicles stopped were carrying a defect is of concern to the police, VOSA and the taxi licensing authority.
“We will therefore be conducting further checks to ensure the safety of the public.”
The Aylesbury Private Hire Association has moved to reassure people following the inspections, claiming the results do not mean the overall standard of vehicles in the town is poor.
The group said in a statement: “Passenger comfort and safety is of a paramount importance to our members.
“Their vehicles and drivers face stringent vetting and testing in Aylesbury.
“We are always striving to ensure that vehicle standards are kept high and in line with Aylesbury Vale District Council policy.”
{http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/more-news/taxi-drivers-call-for-private-hire-firm-to-be-kicked-out-of-aylesbury-1-5478002|The group also called for firm Call a Cab to be removed from the town|read the story}.