TAXI drivers have been praised by the authorities after a vehicle inspection.
The joint operation involved officers the police, Scarborough Council, VOSA and HM Customs and Excise.
They were targeting defective vehicles and a total of 40 were stopped – including 16 private hire vehicles and Hackney Carriages.
Steve Reyno
lds, the council’s environment manager said: “We targeted a range of vehicles, including taxi and private hire vehicles, in order to ensure they were roadworthy and legally compliant.
“As far as the taxi and private hire vehicles were concerned, out of the 22 licensed vehicles checked, only one had problems which were rectified immediately. It is a credit to the licensed drivers and operators that such high standards are being achieved.
“Despite the inconvenience of having their vehicles taken out of service while the extensive checks were carried out, the majority of drivers were very understanding and supportive.”
A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “While the operation was targeting taxis and private hire vehicles, all vehicles suspected as having defects were also checked.”
She added three out of the 16 taxis were given immediate prohibition notices for defective tyres but the defects were fixed at the roadside and they were then allowed to continue driving.
She added: “This is pleasing to note as it is a reduction on a previous check.
“The majority of the taxi drivers were very understanding and supportive of the operation.
Two vehicles seized by HM Customs and Excise for using red diesel were not private hire vehicles or Hackney Carriages.
