Safety blitz on cabs

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council is set to reduce the maximum age limit for the vehicles in a bid to make the trade safer for drivers and passengers.

Cabbie bosses today welcomed the crackdown, saying that honest and careful drivers would have nothing to fear. And drivers were warned to ensure their vehicles were safe or risk losing money at the busiest time of year if their cars are taken off the road.

A report submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council's licensing committee revealed that a random check of vehicles passing the Davyfield Road Service Station on November 21 had given enforcement officers cause for concern.

Of the 11 sample private hire vehicles -- taxis which cannot pick up trade on the streets and must be booked in advance -- five had their licences suspended because the vehicles were found to be unsafe, while one was towed away because it was deemed so dangerous. The remaining four had delayed suspensions placed on them giving the drivers 10 days to sort out the problems.

The problems on the vehicles included braking defects, defective tyres , broken lights and steering problems.

Six hackney carriages -- or black cabs -- were inspected, two of which had delayed suspension notices placed on them, while one had its licence suspended.

There are around 80 black cabs in Blackburn and approximately 450 private hire vehicles in the borough.

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for welfare rights and consumer affairs, said: "The results have caused us concern and we are acting on our concerns.

"It is very important that people know the cabs and taxis they are travelling in are safe. We will have officers out right across Christmas making sure that people are not being put at risk.

"The message we want to send out to drivers is that if they are breaking the rules, they will be caught."

Drivers face losing their licenses or being fined on top of police powers, which include prosecution for driving dangerous vehicles.

Now, new powers will be pushed through banning private hire vehicles being over nine years old. The current limit is 10 years, and Coun Bateson said she expected it to fall further over time.

In Burnley the age limit is seven years and could soon be cut again. In Hyndburn there is no age limit but one is set to be re-introduced.

She said: "This will be reduced but we will consult on it first. Many of the problems involve older vehicles."

The number of times vehicles aged between three and six years be tested will also be increased to two times a year.

Farooq Kalin, from Euro Private Hire and a member of the Blackburn with Darwen taxi driver and private hire association, said: "To all sensible drivers, money comes second to a life which is why keeping a car in good working order is so important. You can replace money.

"The council has a duty to do these checks and we welcome them in doing that.

"We do not feel reducing the age limit will do much good because there aren't that many old cars."

Taxis will be one of the few regular sources of transport over Christmas. Trains stop on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, while Blackburn Transport is only running a limited service on four routes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, with no buses available after 6pm.

Coun Bateson added that officers would be out looking for private hire cabs illegally plying for trade on streets.

She added: "We know of cases of people walking in to a crowded pub and shouting 'taxi.' They let anyone get in. They are in breach of their insurance and if there is an accident, the passenger is not protected. There is also no guarantee over the safety of the vehicle.

"People must be careful and only use correct vehicles or the night bus service." while one had its licence suspended.

There are around 80 black cabs in Blackburn and approximately 450 private hire vehicles in the borough.

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for welfare rights and consumer affairs, said: "The results have caused us concern and we are acting on our concerns.

"It is very important that people know the cabs and taxis they are travelling in are safe. We will have officers out right across Christmas making sure that people are not being put at risk.

"The message we want to send out to drivers is that if they are breaking the rules, they will be caught."

Drivers face losing their licenses or being fined on top of police powers, which include prosecution for driving dangerous vehicles.

Now, new powers will be pushed through banning private hire vehicles being over nine years old. The current limit is 10 years, and Coun Bateson said she expected it to fall further over time.

In Burnley the age limit is seven years and could soon be cut again. In Hyndburn there is no age limit but one is set to be re-introduced.

She said: "This will be reduced but we will consult on it first. Many of the problems involve older vehicles."

The number of times vehicles aged between three and six years be tested will also be increased to two times a year.

Farooq Kalin, from Euro Private Hire and a member of the Blackburn with Darwen taxi driver and private hire association, said: "To all sensible drivers, money comes second to a life which is why keeping a car in good working order is so important. You can replace money."