LOS ANGELES (AP)-- Fourteen shuttles, taxis and limousines were taken off the road in a law enforcement crackdown on unsafe commercial vehicles and faulty permits at Los Angeles International Airport.
Some 118 vehicles were inspected and 14 were towed during Thursday's operation.
''There were some serious safety violations discovered today. We would consider this a success,'' airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles said.
Violations included vehicles using a gasoline-soaked paper towel as a gas cap, a hotel courtesy shuttle with its emergency door wired shut and a hotel courtesy bus with bad brakes.
The morning sweep cited 19 drivers for such misdemeanors as lacking insurance, driving without a permit or proper class license as well as serious mechanical problems.
Another 35 drivers received repair warnings for minor problems such as worn tires or faulty brake lights.
Of the 14 impounded vehicles, five were impounded for lacking state utility permits, five for lacking airport permits and four for faulty steering, brakes and vehicle suspensions.
Participants in Operation Terminal Sweep included airport police, the California Highway Patrol and the Public Utilities Commission.
Airport officials also announced they suspended the operating permits for 103 CLS Limousine cars until its new parent company, Empire International, received proper licensing from the PUC.
