A recent taxi crackdown by Sandwell Council has revealed that most taxi drivers passed legal and safety checks in its latest enforcement operations. However, a significant minority are not following the law, jeopardising passengers’ safety and disadvantaging taxi drivers who do follow the law.
Over 50 Vehicles Breaching Law
The team, working in conjunction with the DVSA and West Midlands Police, identifies taxies which are breaking the law and endangering passenger safety. Out of around 250 vehicles inspected in nine operations, the council found that over 50 vehicles had issues such as defective lights, suspension and tyres or drivers without a license. In fact, in one operation, police seized and crushed a car which had no insurance and four defective tyres.
In addition to licensed-vehicle checks, the council’s licensing enforcement team also makes sure taxi drivers understand the law regarding carrying guide dogs. This is because there have been several instances in which taxis have declined to accept service assistance dogs, warranting further investigation by council officials.
Councillor Elaine Costigan praised the team for its efforts to improve public safety.
Penalties for Convicted Drivers
Drivers have been questioned in court, with those convicted appearing before the Licensing Committee to have their licenses revoked and being subject to community orders, fines, unpaid work orders or other costs. The team has also prosecuted eight drivers for obtaining licenses after having submitted fraudulent applications.
Cabinet member for public health and protection, Councillor Elaine Costigan, praised the team for its efforts to improve public safety, saying it does ‘a fantastic job’ in ensuring people using taxis or private-hire services in Sandwell are safe.
The team also provides anti-child sexual exploitation training to taxi drivers to help them identify when a young passenger could be at risk. Today, there are about 40 private-hire companies and nearly 2,000 drivers operating across the borough of Sandwell.
Ensuring Taxis are Roadworthy
Costigan said the team’s work with West Midlands police and the DVSA ensures taxi drivers are licensed, working legally, and drive vehicles that are “up to standard and roadworthy”. She also said, “a lot of work is being done” to determine whether private-hire operators that operate in Sandwell and hold licenses in other nearby boroughs are breaking the law.
Speaking of fake taxis that operate without insurance, Costigan said the council’s work “benefits the vast majority of taxi drivers who operate within the law who can be undercut by fake taxis without any insurance”, adding that this has become much more common on social media. Indeed, in the past year, the team has prosecuted private-hire drivers that operate without a license and use social media outlets to advertise their services to unsuspecting customers.