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Taxis in the Mansfield and Ashfield regions of Nottinghamshire have been checked for first aid and fire safety provisions, as part of a new campaign by the local council and police forces to ensure public safety.

Ashfield District Council, Bolsover District Council and Nottinghamshire Police all teamed up with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to carry out a day of spot checks on local taxis. As well as checking the condition of the vehicles, including tests on tyres, brakes, engines and bodywork, inspectors also looked for first aid kits and fire extinguishers.

Whilst these inspections were taking place, the local police force ran checks to confirm that all of the sixteen vehicles under scrutiny had the right insurance. Tax meters were also inspected, to ensure that customers were being charged the correct fares.

All sixteen vehicles passed the tests, to the satisfaction of Councillor John Smart, the chairman of the Licensing Committee at Mansfield District Council, who said:

“These spot checks give the council the opportunity to ensure that operators are complying with our rigorous safety standards. It is very encouraging to see that all 16 of the taxi and private hire vehicles passed the inspection.”

In addition to having first aid kits and fire extinguishers, it may also be useful for taxi drivers to learn how to use them. First aid training can give drivers the skills and knowledge to treat medical emergencies that may happen with their customers, whilst fire safety training offers advice on how to use fire extinguishers along with other important skills.