SIR – The revelation that more than a third of all taxi cabs are still failing random checks is a shocking statistic (T&A, April 24).

Commenting on the latest figures, Khurram Shehzad, Bradford Private Hire Liaison Service chairman, stated that drivers and cab firms should be given 48 hours notice of any inspections rather than the current 12 or 24 hours.

On the contrary, there should be NO notice of any such inspections to try and concentrate minds better on what is rightly expected in relation to vehicle standards.

Indeed, perhaps the penalties are not strong enough, and for the more serious failures maybe suspensions or loss of licence should become the norm? The travelling public deserve nothing less.

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon