Officers from the North Yorkshire Police Road Safety Team, supported by Special Constables from York, joined forces with the DVSA, taxi licensing officers from York, Bradford, and Leeds to carry out targeted checks on taxis travelling to and from York.
The initiative was part of preparations for the upcoming Dark Nights operation, which focuses on improving road safety for vulnerable users during the darker months.
A total of 24 taxis were checked during the evening:
• 18 from Bradford
• 4 from Leeds
• 2 from York (including 1 Hackney carriage)
• All others were private hire vehicles
Results of the checks:
• 10 vehicles were found to be satisfactory
• 7 vehicles received advice following minor issues
• 7 vehicles were suspended from operating for the remainder of the evening
• 4 vehicles received immediate prohibitions from the DVSA
• 5 vehicles received a delayed prohibition from the DVSA
• 23 tickets were issued (including to private vehicles) by North Yorkshire Police for issues including:
o Use of fog lights
o Faulty number plate lights
o Incorrect number plates
o Tyre defects
o Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition
o Using an incorrectly registered vehicle
Traffic Constable Matthew Harvey, Road Safety Officer, said:
“This operation is not a one-off. Officers will continue to ensure that vehicles travelling in North Yorkshire are roadworthy, especially taxis. Public safety is our priority, and we’re committed to making sure that those who rely on taxis can do so with confidence.”