Press Release

Taxi safety checks

03/04/08

Last week 12 taxi cabs and private hire vehicles were taken off of the road for failing to pass safety checks.

On Friday 28 March Northampton Borough Council licensing officers working with the Vehicle Operator Service Agency (VOSA) stopped and inspected 23 taxis and private hire vehicles. Each vehicle was fully tested to check it was roadworthy and meet public safety standards.

One Hackney Carriage (black cab) and 22 private hire vehicles were stopped and checked. Ten of the vehicles passed, and 13 were found to have faults of those 12 were prohibited from operating until the operator could prove the vehicle was roadworthy. One car was found to be in a dangerous condition, two had defective tires and one defective breaks.

Councillor Brian Hoare, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for performance said: "People need to feel confident that when they get into a taxi cab or private hire vehicle it is roadworthy. We will not hesitate in taking action against unsafe vehicles in Northampton as part of the council's enforcement policy to ensure public safety. These unannounced tests mean drivers know they must keep their vehicle in good condition at all times as they never know when we might inspect them."