Taxi Crackdown in High Wycombe: Unsafe Cars Yanked Off the Road
Big Taxi Sweep Hits High Wycombe
Police joined forces with three district councils and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) for a major taxi crackdown in High Wycombe on Monday 15th May. The operation targeted private hire and hackney carriage vehicles across Wycombe, Chiltern, and South Bucks Districts.
Faulty Taxis Flashing Red Lights
In total, 60 vehicles were pulled over—46 private hires and 14 hackneys—to check if they met safety and licensing standards. VOSA slapped immediate prohibitions on three vehicles with serious defects, including broken indicators, dodgy shock absorbers, and loose batteries.
Another four vehicles faced delayed bans for cracked windscreens, worn tyres, and fraying seatbelts. Their drivers had licences suspended by the councils.
Drivers in Hot Water Over Safety & Licences
- Thames Valley Police issued two defect rectification notices and a fixed penalty to a driver caught without a seatbelt.
- 18 drivers were reprimanded for licensing offences like missing ID badges, wrong vehicle signage, damaged cars, and no fire extinguisher onboard.
These drivers were warned to fix the faults within seven days — or face further consequences.
Official Warning: Keep Your Taxi Safe and Legal
PC Liz Johnson, Road Safety Officer for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, said: “This was a successful joint operation which removed a number of unsafe vehicles from the road. I would urge all drivers to check their tyres weekly and ask passengers to check their driver’s badge is clearly visible.”
Remember, private hire vehicles in the area must display:
- Rear and front licensing plates
- ‘Advanced bookings only’ door stickers
- Visible driver ID badges
- ‘No smoking’ signs—smoking inside taxis is banned
The councils are cracking down hard to keep taxi passengers safe. Don’t get caught driving deadly rides – check your cab before you hit the streets!
