Spring 2012 Newsletter - Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

BBC One Show articleThis show highlighted the increased risks to drivers who fail to check andmaintain their tyres. In 2010 there were 1200 road casualties attributed topoorly maintained tyres and in the last five years there have been 164 fatalities.Many drivers wait longer to carry out routine vehicle maintenance in order tosave money. However, defective tyres increase stopping distance resulting inmuch worse accidents and significantly higher costs to repair a vehicle.In 2010 the police gave endorsements to 10,000 drivers with defective tyres,a four year high. Drivers received three points for each defective tyre and upto a £2,500 fine. Increases in drivers failing to maintain tyres and potentiallyreceiving points further demonstrates the general need for the police andlicensing authorities to carry out routine maintenance checks. It is theresponsibility of the driver to ensure any vehicle he drives is fit forpurpose by checking the tyres daily and other vehicle checkseven if he rents the vehicle from the owner.Did you know?• All licensed drivers are required to wear their licence badges in aposition which is plainly visible.• Hackney carriages are required to proceed to another rank if the onethey arrive at is already fully occupied. Failing to do so is an offenceunder the hackney carriage byelaws. Licensing officers and thecouncil’s parking officers will be increasing enforcement at ranks tomonitor this to ensure ranks are utilised and to prevent roads beingblocked by excessive numbers of taxis waiting off the official rank.• Drivers are required to search their vehicle after every journey andtake any lost property to the Police station within 48 hours unless theproperty is claimed by the owner beforehand.10 Taxi and Private Hire News