Ten of 17 taxis stopped in joint police and council operation found to be defective
TEN out of 17 taxis stopped in a joint police and local authority operation in Neath Port Talbot were found to have defects.
Officers from the South Wales Police Commercial Vehicle Unit, in conjunction with local authority taxi licensing officers, conducted safety checks on taxis on Friday night to ensure vehicles were fit to carry passengers.
Chief Superintendent Cliff Filer, head of specialist operations, said: "It is a cause for concern that 10 out of the 17 taxis stop-checked in Neath Port Talbot were issued with immediate prohibitions for various defects.
"These prohibitions were mainly for defective tyres and one private hire vehicle was found to have no fewer than three defective tyres.
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"The defective rate was nearly 60 per cent, which is quite alarming given the nature and scope of work these vehicles undertake on a daily basis."
The checks included lights, tyres, first aid kits and fire extinguishers, and the drivers were authenticated by checking their licence badges.
Chief Superintendent Filer added: "We regularly run taxi safety operations and it is unacceptable that some vehicles are not adequately maintained.
"It is unfair on the many law-abiding taxi operators who have to compete against others who use defective vehicles which put drivers, passengers and other road users in danger."
5 Comments
by Zoomer
Monday, February 11 2013, 3:33PM
“10 out of 17 taxis found to be defective", was that just the drivers ?”
by maxmin
Monday, February 11 2013, 3:31PM
“There is no excuse for having an unsafe vehicle on the road, taxi or not. However in Carmarthen taxi's were being pulled up for having the wrong kind of stickers, or the wrong shaped roof light, things that had no effect on the vehicles safety.”
by avondale
Monday, February 11 2013, 3:22PM
“Not surprised. We are all in this together so got to cut back on spending!”
by lancelot69
Monday, February 11 2013, 3:11PM
“Better start rectifying the defects on the police cars then! Practice what you preach”
by Dan01
Monday, February 11 2013, 2:43PM
“Hiring a taxi is expensive these days, - the least I'd expect is that the vehicle was safe!”