It is worrying that yesterday's swoop on taxis in Bradford revealed a number of drivers who are behaving irresponsibly. Of the total of 75 vehicles checked - mostly hackney carriages and private-hire cars - five were in such a defective state that Bradford Council banned them from the roads until they were put right.

It is disgraceful that people who make their living transporting members of the public around the district should put them - and other road users - at risk by using unroadworthy vehicles.

Of even greater concern, though, is the evidence uncovered by the investigators of the extent of the use of illegal, modified CB radios over and above the perfectly legal two-way radio system operated by taxi companies. While drivers are chatting to each other, they risk interfering with the radio systems used by the emergency services. This is at best a nuisance. At worst, the potential consequences of communications to the police, ambulance or fire services being blocked during a major emergency are very serious indeed.

Quite rightly, the offending drivers now face disciplinary measures and possible prosecution after this important joint swoop involving Customs and Excise, the Department of Trade and Industry, the police and Bradford Council.

The secretary of Bradford Hackney Carriage Association has described this operation as discrimination against drivers. This is one sort of discrimination everyone should support if it deters the irresponsible minority of drivers from breaking the law. It will not only give a boost to safety, but will also help to improve the image of the taxi trade.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.