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Checks on buses reveal problems
Police have been checking school buses for potentially dangerous defects to make sure children travelling on them are safe.
Officers have carried out the checks on 48 coaches, minibuses and taxis used to transport children to and from school in Corby and Northampton.
The two-day safety checks were carried out by officers and staff from Northamptonshire Police, the county council, Corby Council, Northampton Council and the Vehicle Operating Standards Agency.
The checks were made on any vehicles used at Corby Business Academy in
Academy Way and Billing Brook School in Northampton.
A verbal warning was given to one driver with a loose seat back and another driver was reprimanded for having loose wheel nuts and a faulty emergency exit.
Four verbal warnings were also given to drivers with faulty lights and four prohibitions were handed out for defective tyres.
Police Sergeant Jon Hodgson said: "It is disappointing that drivers with the responsibility for transporting children do not spend time checking their vehicles before use.
"All of these matters would have been identified with a check before setting off.
"We would urge all drivers of all types of vehicles to carry out simple checks such as lights, brakes and tyres and to seek professional help to rectify any problems."
The checks are part of a national campaign, Operation Coachman, seeking to ensure the safety of children and standards of vehicle maintenance across the county.
Further checks will be made throughout the year.
Mum-of-two Jean Smith, 34, of Willowbrook Road, Corby, said: "School buses are likely to have a few problems because rowdy kids go on them. But you would at least expect the tyres and lights to be working.
"A car driver wouldn't get away with this, so I'm glad something designed for children wouldn't get away with it either."
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Monday 13 February 2012
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