Spot-checks operation on taxis to ensure public are safe at Christmas

A PRE-Christmas clampdown on taxi and private hire operators saw two vehicles taken off the road immediately for failing safety checks.
The operation was carried out jointly last week by West Somerset Council, police, and vehicle inspectors.
A total of 25 taxis and private hire vehicles were randomly stopped for spot-checks which were carried out at Minehead police headquarters.
Police motorcyclists rounded up hackney carriages up to eight-seats in size, and engineers from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) made safety checks.
Of the two prohibition notices which were issued - preventing the operator trading immediately - one was lifted on the same day after minor remedial works by qualified mechanics.
Council licensing committee chairman Councillor Jenny Hill said: “Taxis are very much in demand at this time of year so we were pleased to discover the vast majority of operators are keeping their vehicles in a safe and sound condition, and meeting the strict standards for public hire vehicles.
“It is vital that there is no compromise in ensuring public safety, and that people can trust in the reliability of hire transport.”
Police, who conduct roadside checks on all vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy, taxed, and insured, urged motorists to conduct regular checks on their vehicles to ensure they complied with manufacturer and use regulations.
Inspector Carol Pearce said: “These checks are a regular occurrence in West Somerset.
“By working together with all agencies, we can ensure that when a member of the public gets into a taxi in West Somerset, it is completely roadworthy.
“I would urge all drivers of motor vehicles to regularly check their lights and ensure that the windscreen washes are topped up
“Keeping your vehicle safe and roadworthy is the best Christmas present you can give yourselves, your family, and your fellow humans.
“Stay safe over Christmas, if you drink - don’t drive.”

Safety crackdown nets taxis and private hire vehicles

A SAFETY crackdown on private hire and taxi cabs in West Somerset has been carried out jointly by West Somerset Council, the police, and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
They joined forces for the operation last week, on Thursday, August 21, when 22 vehicles were rounded up by police motorcyclists and taken to Minehead police headquarters.
There, they were inspected by the council and VOSA.
Four prohibition notices - which stop the operator from trading with immediate effect - were issued.
Three notices were lifted after minor remedial work was completed by qualified mechanics, but one hackney carriage from outside the district had to return to its home town for remedial work.
District council licensing committee chairman Councillor Jenny Hill said: “We were pleased to find that the majority of private hire and taxi cabs were in a safe and sound condition, and those that did not meet the stringent standards only needed minor work to bring them up to scratch.
“However, it shows that we are not prepared to compromise public safety or public trust in the generally good service provided by our licensed operators.”
Police Inspector Carol Pearce said: “Road safety is an important issue for all road users, whether drivers, passengers, or pedestrians, and we were delighted to help our colleagues with this operation.
“All vehicles suffer general wear and tear, so we recommend that all drivers regularly check their vehicles to ensure that they comply with the construction and use regulations.
“Local police conduct roadside checks to ensure vehicles are roadworthy and appropriately insured and taxed.”

Emergency services to reconstruct car smash to teach students a graphic lesson

A GRAPHIC demonstration of the effects of poor driving is to be given to students in West Somerset as part of a road safety campaign by the emergency services.
It will involve a full reconstruction of a road traffic collision to be staged for sixth form students at the West Somerset Community College, Minehead.
The event will show exactly what happens to the occupants of a vehicle after it has been involved in a serious accident.
Ambulance, police, and firefighters will show what they do when rescuing casualties from a crashed car.
Jon Martin, of the Somerset Road Safety Partnership, who has been a fireman for 24 years, said: “Many of the students watching will be turning 17 and about to start learning to drive, so just maybe this will slow them down and make them think.
“The college has been very supportive and is keen to make it an annual event. Teachers are even designing lessons and question papers around the day.”
The demonstration takes place on Thursday, December 6, and will also include presentations by representatives from the road safety partnership, a driving simulator, and questions and answers.
The emergency services will also be highlighting their annual Christmas drink-drive message.
The national campaign will aim to convince all drivers, with a particular focus on young male drivers aged between 17 and 29 years, that a drink-drive conviction has the potential to ruin their life, by highlighting a mixture of the legal and personal consequences.
These include:

• being caught and breathalysed by the police
• a minimum12-month driving ban
• a criminal record
• a hefty fine
• lifestyle changes (ie, potential loss of job, relationships, or car)