SAFETY checks on taxis revealed a staggering 77 cars were being driven in an unsafe condition on Bolton's roads.

And 20 of the vehicles examined by police and Department of Transport experts had to be ordered off the road immediately beacuse they were too dangerous.

Fifty seven of the 77 taxi drivers were given a 10-day "suspension" to enable them to repair the faults within the time limit.

The taxi enforcement campaign, a joint operation involving Bolton Police, the Department of Transport and the licensing section of Bolton Council, was mounted in Bolton town centre last month.

The initiative, led by Bolton Police traffic officer PC Barry Moss, checked the road worthiness and safety of private hire vehicles and Hackney carriages in the centre of Bolton.

A total of 174 vehicles were examined during the operation. Twenty were instantly taken off the road and 57 were subject to 10 day suspensions.

Fifteen of the 20 considered too dangerous were private hire cars the other five were Hackney taxis. Fifty one private hire taxis were given 10 day suspensions and six Hackney carriages.

A total of 18 drivers are now facing prosecution for a total of 28 offences ranging from defective tyres, lights, dangerous parts and defective steering and seat belts.

The head of the Bolton Police traffic unit, Insp Brian Goulding, said he was disappointed that the safety checks revealed so many defects.

"I am surprised that we discovered defects on 77 cars," said Insp Goulding. "It goes without saying that this is unacceptable.

"Taxi drivers have a duty to ensure that they are driving their customers around Bolton in total safety."

He said the operation to undertake safety checks on Bolton's taxis would continue. And he urged anyone not satisfied with the safety of a taxi to report the driver to the licensing section of Bolton Council.

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