Taxi drivers banned from the road

Lorraine Tinney Lorraine Tinney - 1626 • Last updated 25 Mar 2008 11:04 0 Comments

CABBIES who drive faulty taxis are putting passengers" lives at risk.

That was the hard-hitting message from police traffic boss Jim Igoe after five drivers were put off the road last month.

Police and Inverclyde Council"s taxi enforcement team suspended the cabbies after finding light and tyre defects on some vehicles and that others were not fitted with fire extinguishers, a requirement for a taxi licence.

Two cab drivers were served with notices to give them time to repair bodywork and faulty fire extinguishers.

Chief Inspector Igoe said: 'These are pretty important issues and could put people"s lives at risk.

'These defects were obviously developing over some time and should have been rectified sooner.

'Five out of 33 taxis is quite a substantial number, especially when they provide such an important service to the people of Inverclyde.

'They get people off the streets late at night and elderly and disabled people really depend on them, so it is very important the vehicles are kept well maintained.'

He stressed police have a good relationship with taxi drivers and said they will continue to make sure they are operating legally.

Ronnie Ahlfeld, chair of the general purposes board responsible for taxi licensing, said: 'The safety of the travelling public is paramount.

'The tests we carry out are particularly stringent and, in some instances, we do this twice a year to ensure taxis meet the safety standards prescribed.'

Taxi driver Mark McGuigan, who works for Inverclyde Taxis, said: 'If taxis are faulty they shouldn"t be on the road.

'Passenger safety is of the utmost importance.

'You have to keep yourself and the passengers safe. I welcome these checks. If your car is maintained then you"ve got nothing to worry about.'

Tweet

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 24 Mar 08

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

You must be logged in to post. If you have not registered with us, please do so now.

Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users do not have to complete word verification once logged in and can also take part in competitions and other registered user only features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @greenocktele