ENFORCEMENT NEWS

TOO MANY PASSENGERS, BALD TYRES AND FAULTY SEATBELTS: SUSSEX POLICE CARRY OUT TAXI AND PHV CHECKS

Cleethorpes Taxi Spot Checks Throw Up Six

Sussex Roads Police, the DVSA, and the RPU carried out taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) safety checks in Brighton on 17 June 2023. A total of 43 vehicles were stopped, and a number of offences were dealt with.

Some of the offences included:

• Bald tyres

• Faulty seatbelts

• Not wearing seatbelts

• Too many passengers

• Using a mobile phone while driving

• 4 prohibited vehicles.

All of the vehicles were made safe roadside. The checks were carried out as part of a wider campaign to improve road safety in Brighton.

A Sussex Roads Police spokesperson said via social media: “Commercial Vehicle Unit, DVSA & RPU carried out taxi safety checks in Brighton and stopped 43 vehicles. Offences dealt with included bald tyres, faulty seatbelt, not wearing belts, too many passengers, mobile phone and 4 prohibited. All made safe roadside.”

Council’s licensing team and Humberside Police saw 11 random roadside spot check inspections on local taxis in Cleethorpes on Friday 9 June.

A council licensing officer checked all drivers and the general conditions of the vehicles, while Humberside Police checked DVLA licences, insurances, tyres, lights and vehicle tax. The enforcement evening found the following issues:

• One taxi was immediately suspended for not displaying the vehicle licence plate.

• One driver was advised to remove the tint from their vehicle’s windows.

• One driver was given a warning with regards to his manner of driving.

• One driver was found without an ID Badge.

• One vehicle had the incorrect registration number plate (the vehicle was not an electric vehicle).

• One vehicle was very unclean and had incorrect carpets in the footwell.

Drivers were spoken to and the issues will be monitored until they are resolved. The suspension on the taxi has now been lifted and the issue has been resolved.