SWOOP CENTRAL


From glancing around this collection of Swoop stories, readers can get a flavour of what’s going on these days: basically we’ve all got a pain in the pocket(book), some worse than others. Cash-strapped owner/drivers just are not able to maintain their vehicles to the proper standard. Let’s face it - the same can be said for private motorists; it’s just that our licensed vehicles must be, and should be, kept to a higher standard. What is interesting is that in years gone by, the trade used to moan about these roadside exercises, calling their instigators Jobsworths etc. Now they’ve got behind them, acknowledging that substandard vehicles should not endanger the paying public - and take their hard-earned work whilst they pay for proper vehicle maintenance. Surely there is no excuse for broken seat belts and bald tyres.


SEVENTEEN BRISTOL LICENCES SUSPENDED


Taxi inspectors order- ed 17 vehicles off the road during a night of safety spot checks. The police, Bristol City Council’s


licensing


enforcement team and VOSA stopped 91 PHVs and hackney carriages on Saturday night, 9th June. Tax inspectors and council housing benefit officers also took part in the crackdown, check- ing to see whether


drivers were working while claiming benefit. The licences of the 17 vehicles found to be operating illegally were suspended with imme- diate effect until work needed to bring them up to scratch is carried out. The majority of problems


identified


concerned defective fire extinguishers, tyres, lights and seat belts. David Morris, the chair- man of the council’s


public safety and pro- tection committee, told This is Bristol: “The majority of taxis on Bris- tol’s roads are legal and safe, and these opera- tions are welcomed by the taxi trade.” Insp Keith Rundle said: “Thanks to ongo- ing operations like this people in Bristol can be assured that they are travelling in road- worthy vehicles driven by legitimate drivers.”


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DENBIGHSHIRE TAXIS ORDERED OFF ROAD IN POLICE CHECKS


Cabbies have been pulled over in Den- bighshire by officers from North Wales Police as part of an enforcement campaign. Checks on the road- worthiness of the taxis were then carried out, supported by VOSA and licensing staff from Denbighshire Council. A council spokes- woman told the North Wales Daily Post: “In the interests of public safety checks were


recently carried out on 15 taxis in north Den- bighshire. “As a result of serious defects


immediate


roadworthiness prohi- bition notices were issued to four vehicles with a further two vehi- cles issued with two delayed roadworthi- ness


“North Wales Police issued four “vehicle defect


rectification


notices.” A council spokes- woman added: “In order to further public safety, officers of Den- bighshire


County


notices by VOSA. Council


issued four immediate suspension notices and six deferred sus- pension notices.


prohibition officers


Council will continue to work in partnership with North Wales Police and VOSA in carrying out taxi and PHV roadworthiness checks and take appropriate


where necessary.”


HERTS TAXIS ARE TARGETED IN CRACKDOWN BY POLICE


Three taxi drivers in Royston were found to have meters that were not installed properly in a police crackdown. Officers from Hertford- shire Constabulary checked the vehicles and found the devices were not screwed in properly and had cali- bration tags missing. Police then visited the firm and advised the owners to fix the prob- lem.


The cabs were part of 61 inspected across the district


in one


morning, with officers discovering a cracked windscreen, drivers touting for business outside a taxi rank and a cab with an expired road tax disc. There was also one taxi driver given a £60 fixed penalty notice for carrying his son in the car without an appro- priate child seat.


Road Policing Ser- geant Neil Emmerson told the Royston Crow: “This was a useful exercise, which clearly shows that the majori- ty of North Herts cabs are legal and safe for the paying public. “It was also nice to get positive responses from the drivers who were happy to co- operate with getting their vehicles repaired immediately.”


HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES CHECKED IN CARDIFF CRACKDOWN


Hundreds of van, truck and taxi drivers have been stopped by police in a two-day crackdown on dodgy drivers. The South Wales Echo reports that Operation Lockdown saw police officers,


council workers and British


Police join forces to catch those breaking the law on the road. The city-wide opera- tion saw dozens of cars seized by police after their drivers were found to have no licence or insurance, while dozens more drivers were given fixed penalty fines for other offences.


agencies, Transport


Staff from the Depart- ment for Work and Pensions (DWP) were also on hand to check if drivers were claim- ing benefits, while council officers made sure the right licences were in place. PC Peter Hoole, of the Roads Policing Unit at South Wales Police, came up with the idea for the operation as a way for officers and different agencies to work together. Simultaneous multi- agency


operations


were run in Glass Avenue, off Ocean Way, Splott, on the first day, and at Cardiff City Stadium, Leck-


with, on July 4. At the Cardiff City site, dozens of vans were checked, while taxi drivers - some with fares - were also being given the once-over. Police officers check- ed under cars, tyres and tested small amounts of fuel to see if drivers were using red diesel. South Wales Police road safety officer Nicola Brimble said: “We are checking to make sure the vehi- cles are roadworthy and that they are not carrying anything they shouldn’t be. The safe- ty of other road users is paramount.”


PHTM AUGUST 2012


action


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