Focus on taxi safety in Settle and Skipton

The safety of taxis in the Settle and Skipton areas was in the spotlight as part of a joint operation.

North Yorkshire Police roads policing officers worked alongside North Yorkshire Council's taxi licensing enforcement staff.

They focussed in particular on drivers and vehicles operating on school contracts in the Settle area, stopping seven taxis carrying youngsters on the ‘school run’, on the morning of Tuesday 30 April 2024.

A number of issues were identified, including drivers not wearing photo identification, missing internal taxi licence identification, and headlights in an unsatisfactory condition.

As a result, four drivers will be issued with warning letters by North Yorkshire Council, and some vehicles will be re-inspected in the future. A further driver was reported for summons by North Yorkshire Police for not wearing a seatbelt correctly.

The team also stopped and checked taxis in the Cross Hills and Skipton area on the same day. Although five were found to be wholly in order, some further issues were identified with other taxis stopped, including wing mirrors in poor condition, and worn tyres. Further inspections, and several warning letters, will follow.

North Yorkshire Council's corporate director of environment, Karl Battersby, said: "Our role as a local authority is to provide assurance to customers that taxis in the North Yorkshire area meet the requirements of the law and our agreed standards.

"This is especially significant where children are involved hence our close partnership with North Yorkshire Police."

Traffic Constable David Minto, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Operations such as these are crucial for road safety. Taxi licensing law is in place to provide assurance and security for paying passengers and other road-users.

“The initial focus of our operation was in the Settle area, and specifically during the time of the morning ‘school run’, where safety is of course paramount.

“Partnership working is critical to the success of these operations, to ensure safer roads, roadworthy vehicles and authorised drivers in North Yorkshire.”