DAILY CHECKS SAVE LIVES capture
Article by CheckedSafe
info@checkedsafe.com
www.checkedsafe.com
At CheckedSafe, we believe safety isn’t optional, it’s a daily responsibility. That’s exactly why our vehicle checking app exists, to make sure that every taxi and private hire vehicle is inspected properly before hitting the road, to ensure it is safe to be used. Yet our recent Freedom of Information requests to over 40 licensing authorities revealed some harsh truths about the safety in this industry:
Up to 49% of private hire vehicles fail their first annual licensing test, and some are found during random stops to have defects so serious that their licences are immediately revoked.
Our industry prides itself on being “highly regulated,” but in reality, daily walkarounds are rarely required. And even the councils that do ask for them, often provide no tools to ensure checks actually happen. Small defects such as worn tyres, squeaky brakes, failed lights, or faulty windscreen washers can accumulate unnoticed over months. Left unchecked, they can end up becoming serious safety risks.
The human cost is sobering. The AA reports that defective brakes caused 750 casualties, including 10 deaths. Tyres were responsible for 491 casualties and 12 fatalities. Steering and suspension faults contributed to 255 casualties and six deaths. That’s 28 lives lost and nearly 1,500 people seriously injured. Sons, daughters, parents, friends, colleagues, all because preventable defects were ignored or not spotted. All of these could have been spotted and potentially prevented by a simple daily pre-use vehicle check.
Daily checks save lives. Portsmouth City Council recently mandated daily inspections for all licensed vehicles, a massive step in the right direction. But good intentions are not enough. Busy schedules, poor weather, or pressure to meet bookings can lead to checks being skipped. That’s where CheckedSafe makes a difference.
Our app acts as a built-in safety net. Drivers are prompted to complete a full walkaround, inspect every critical component, record any defects, and
16 picture
evidence if needed. Missed checks can be flagged to
owners or licensing authorities, keeping everyone accountable.
It’s fast, simple and cost-effective, turning good intentions into consistent practice.
By making pre-use inspections mandatory, we protect drivers, passengers, and everyone else on the road. Annual or semi-annual tests are not enough for vehicles covering 20-40,000 miles per year. Daily checks, like those required for HGVs and coaches, should be standard for every taxi and private hire vehicle. It’s not just about compliance, it’s professionalism in action.
The Highway Code Rule 97 is clear: every road user must ensure their vehicle is legal and roadworthy. Even a few minutes each day spent walking around your vehicle can keep your vehicle running, spot faults and prevent serious accidents or fatalities.
It is hard to argue against taking a few minutes every day to walk around your vehicle and ensure that it is safe. If just one life is saved by a pre-use check that identifies an unsafe defect, then that would be justification enough.
The government’s new Road Safety Strategy aims to reduce KSI (Killed or Seriously Injured) casualties nationwide, with an average of four lives lost daily in 2024. The taxi and PH industry must show it cares too.
CheckedSafe helps drivers do more than comply, it gives them the tools to reduce risk, protect the public, and drive with confidence.
Caring about safety shouldn’t be complicated. With CheckedSafe, daily walkarounds are easy to complete, fully documented, and verifiable. Every inspection recorded in the app is a step toward fewer casualties, fewer licence suspensions, and a stronger, more professional industry.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. MARCH 2026 PHTM fleet
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74
