Dangerous taxis stopped by police in road safety drive

In a joint operation, North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Council and the Vehicle Operator Services Agency stopped 21 private hire taxis and hackney carriages and ruled five were dangerous.

Traffic Sergeant Andrew Morton, from North Yorkshire Police, said: “Members of the public have a right to expect that the taxis they use are safe and roadworthy and that the drivers are properly licensed.

“While many taxi drivers do maintain their vehicles, I am disappointed by the number of vehicles which presented with defects, five of which were so serious they were taken off the road and had their taxi plates suspended.

“I give credit to those drivers who do maintain their vehicles correctly, but sadly it appears that those who don’t often know their vehicles have defects but drive anyway. That isn’t acceptable and puts the lives of passengers at risk.”

A further four drivers were given notices to repair faults.

Coun John Ennis, chairman of Harrogate Council’s Licensing Committee, said he was surprised at the findings of the operation last Friday night.

“Harrogate Borough Council are committed to the enforcement of our licensing regime and tonight’s operation demonstrates this with five vehicles suspended from operation.

“We will be carrying out further operations within the district in conjunction with Police and I urge all taxi drivers to check their vehicles thoroughly before taking them out”.