Police Scotland officers and Highland Council Trading Standards members carry out safety checks on dozens of taxis in Easter Ross and Fort William
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DOZENS of taxis and private hire cars have been stopped and checked by police and trading standards officers in Easter Ross as part of a safety inspections campaign.
More than 50 vehicles were stopped and checked in Easter Ross and Fort William during the joint operation between police officers and Highland Council's Trading Standards team.
The stops involved checks to ensure drivers were operating within the terms of their taxi licence and also to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy and had the correct documents.
Issues were identified relating to one vehicle holding no valid MOT and another holding no insurance. One vehicle had their taxi licence suspended, pending rectification of mechanical defects.
And officers say the low number of breaches shows that the "vast majority" of operators are running their taxis safely and that Highlanders should feel "reassured" by this.
Constable Siobhan Sharkey, from the Highlands and Islands Road Policing Unit, said: " The vast majority of taxi and private hire drivers operate safely within the terms of their licence. This is incredibly important to ensure public and road safety and in turn provide the public reassurance.
"The drivers/operator will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. I would like to also thank the taxi trade for their support and co-operation during our operation."
Mark McGinty, Trading Standards team leader added: “This is the second joint operation Trading Standards have conducted with Police Scotland to meet with the taxi and private hire trade in recent weeks.
"Officers have taken the opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by the trade at this time as well as ensuring that those involved and the vehicles are operating in a safe and legal manner.
"Whilst it gives me confidence that the public is safe when using a taxi or private hire car and that the vast majority of the trade are complying with the law, it is concerning to note that some have not kept to their legal obligations and have been found without certain documents and equipment which should be carried in the vehicle, all of which could have implications in the event of an accident.
"I’d ask operators and drivers to ensure that they meet these obligations at all times whilst conducting their business. I’d like to thank all for their co-operation.”
