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Taxi licensing crackdown success
OFFICIALS in Liverpool targeted more
than 2,000 drivers in 2017 in a drive to enforce Taxi licensing laws.
Operations by Council officers and Merseyside Police took action against a total
of 2,091 drivers; the vast majority (1,895) from Liverpool, but some from:-
Sefton (94), Knowsley (76) , Wirral (9) and Halton (4) and also 1 each from
South Ribble, Bolton and Wolverhampton.
75% of the cases involved private car drivers parking illegally in Hackney Taxi
Ranks (1,511); a big concern for Hackney drivers; while 7 Private Hire drivers
were also warned. A total of 485 Hackney and Private Hire drivers were issued
with written warnings for a variety of offences, and 53 were prosecuted. And 29
drivers were penalised for illegally playing for hire and associated insurance
offences, while 13 cherry picking notices were issued to Hackney drivers.
Other offences included:- 125 vehicles with illegal tyres, and 79 cases where
drivers failed to wear or display their badge.
Over 2017, the Council has stepped up its enforcement action, with 9
staff working in conjunction with a number of Police Officers spotting vehicles
which aren't complying with the law.
In December alone, 241 defect notices or suspension orders were issued on Taxis,
44 drivers were issued with written cautions, 118 fixed penalty notices were
issued to private vehicles parked on Taxi stands and 4 drivers were warned
for cherry picking.
Council lor Christine Banks, Chair of the Licensing Committee, said:- "I
don't believe that any other City outside of London is doing as we much as we
are to crackdown on drivers who flout the law. The statistics speak for
themselves and our message is that we are on the side of those drivers who play
by the rules. We are determined to make the playing field as level as it can be
and support the Taxi trade as much as we can. It should be remembered that
most drivers follow the rules and law abiding Private Hire and Hackney owners
have nothing to worry about. There are a very small minority who breach
regulations, and we are committed to taking action and in doing so, send a clear
message out that it is not acceptable. Passengers should always ensure
they only use properly licensed taxis or pre-book Private Hire vehicles,
otherwise they are placing themselves in danger."
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