A record-breaking number of taxis were randomly spot checked in a recent multi-agency operation.
North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVSA), Leicestershire Police and other local authorities stopped 140 taxis and private hire vehicles near East Midlands Airport to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.
During the operation, taxis were stopped by police officers and examined, while licensing officers interviewed the drivers.
The checks included ensuring all vehicles were roadworthy and checking that necessary signage, documentation and equipment such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers were carried.
Of the 140 vehicles stopped during the operation, 66 received advisories or notices of defects. Including:
Two fixed penalty notices from the DVSA for minibus drivers for exceeding drivers’ hours rules
DVSA banned the use of one vehicle for an illegal and defective tyre – resolved on site
DVSA issued three notices for roadworthiness – vehicles must have an MOT test as soon as possible or risk being taken off the road
One expired vehicle licence
Drivers not displaying ID badges
Dirty vehicles
ID plates incorrectly displayed
Missing fire extinguisher
Missing first aid kit
The joint operation saw eight Midlands authorities join NWLDC, the DVSA and the police for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Vehicles travelling from as far away as Wolverhampton were stopped, with licensing officers from the City of Wolverhampton on hand to inspect them.
Throughout the year licensing teams carry out roadside spot checks to make sure that standards are being kept to, as well as to identify and take action against unlicensed drivers and vehicles working illegally.
Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: “We take the safety of anyone using a taxi or private hire vehicle in and around the district extremely seriously.
“Joint operations such as this help us to inspect even more vehicles and ensure anyone using, or driving, a taxi is safe. Thank you to all of the officers involved in this record-breaking day.”
Sergeant James Wakefield, based at East Midlands Airport, said: “Our priority is to ensure the safety of everyone using the airport and we will continue to work alongside the council and all partner agencies to ensure that’s the case.”
