90 tickets handed out during London taxi and limo safety blitz

London police Sgt. Ryan Scrivens discusses the results of the taxi and limo safety blitz in London, Ont. on Monday, May 27, 2013.

London police and city municipal law enforcement officers issued 90 tickets during a two-day initiative focused on taxicab and limousine safety inspections.

During the blitz, 52 vehicles were checked, resulting in 21 taxicab and limousine licence suspensions. Five vehicles were deemed unsafe and towed from the roadway.

The 90 offences consisted of provincial and local by-law infractions related to the mechanical inspections of these vehicles and associated licencing requirements. Specific issues were with suspension/steering, brake systems, maintenance logs, underbody/exhaust, improper tires, trip sheets, drivers licence/cab licence and insurance.

Police say Project TRIPS (Transportation Random Inspections for Public Safety) was aimed at improving compliance with the legislation and improving road safety for drivers and passengers.

Amendments to the city’s taxi and limousine licencing by-law came into effect in July 2012. The changes now require vehicles used as either a taxicab or limousine for the first time, to be no more than three model years old.

The by-law also stipulates a reduction in the total number of years for which a cab or limo can remain in service, before it must be retired from circulation.