Published: Tuesday, 25th March, 2008 11:04am

Taxi drivers banned from the road

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.'