Dangerous school-run PHV caught with tyre worn down to metal cords in Taxi Cop safety crackdown
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A joint enforcement operation targeting school transport vehicles in North Bristol uncovered a number of safety and licensing defects, including a private hire vehicle operating with a dangerously worn tyre exposing metal cords.
The inspection was carried out by Avon & Somerset Police’s Taxi Cop, PC Patrick Quinton, alongside officers from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and South Gloucestershire Council’s Home to School Transport team. Around 20 minibuses, taxis and private hire vehicles were stopped and checked during the operation.
Among the most serious findings was a private hire vehicle found with a front tyre worn down to the metal cords. The vehicle was immediately suspended and prohibited from operating, while the driver received three penalty points and a fixed penalty notice.
Inspectors also discovered another private hire vehicle with a screw embedded in one of its tyres. The driver was instructed to replace the tyre immediately before continuing service.
Joint operation by police, DVSA and council officers found several vehicle safety and licensing breaches during inspections at a North Bristol school
Elsewhere, a private hire vehicle was found with a defective brake light, which was repaired on site during the inspection. Another vehicle was identified as failing to display its licence plates. Officers reminded the driver that a plate exemption does not apply when undertaking school transport work. The vehicle was later presented for inspection with the plates correctly displayed.
PC Quinton described the operation as the first time he had taken part in joint inspections at a school setting and indicated further checks are likely to follow.
The checks form part of ongoing efforts by enforcement agencies to ensure vehicles transporting children meet required safety and licensing standards. School transport work places additional responsibility on operators and drivers to maintain vehicles in a safe and compliant condition.
Commenting after the operation, PC Quinton said: “It’s the first time I’ve done joint inspections at a school and it won’t be the last.
“I haven’t said it for a while so… I can’t be everywhere, but I could be anywhere.”
