09/12/2003

Use legal taxis this Christmas warns DVTA

DOE’s Driver Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA) has called on people to only use legal taxis this Christmas.

This year to date DVTA has checked 2,024 taxis resulting in the detection of 583 offences with 230 vehicles unlicensed, and 200 uninsured.

Trevor Hassin, the Agency's Operations Director said: "Using illegal taxis could spoil seasonal celebrations and are potentially dangerous.

"You can be certain though that the high demand over the holiday period will result in illegal taxis on our streets. The unsuspecting public can place themselves in a very vulnerable position and potential danger travelling in an unlicensed taxi."

Mr Hassin confirmed that enforcement officers would be on the streets checking for illegal taxis over the Christmas period.

"DVTA's Taxi Enforcement Team will be working with officers from the PSNI and Customs & Excise Road Fuel Testing Unit. Operations will take place right across Northern Ireland in the run up to, and throughout, the Christmas and new year period," he added.

(MB)

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