'Impounding cars for touting goes too far', say concerned Staffordshire taxi driversCONCERNED taxi drivers across Staffordshire have spoken out against recommendations to impound cars connected with touting, claiming it goes too far.
In a report released today, the Law Commission have recommended reforms to the law which governs taxis and private hire vehicles.
And in an effort to reduce touting – actively soliciting customers – which poses a significant safety risk, tougher punishments have been advised.
This could be licensing authorities could be given the power to impound any vehicle found to be used in connection with touting.
Dave Currie, regional secretary of the National Private Hire Association, agrees in principle that the sanctions need to be stronger, but feels impounding vehicles goes too far.
“Currently the penalties are not severe enough to stop some taxi drivers from touting,” he said. “But to take a man’s vehicle, a man’s livelihood, would be excessive.
“The principle of increasing the penalty I can’t disagree with, but my concern is the power to impound vehicles could be abused.
“There is a very fine line – what one licensing office might see as touting, another one may not. It is very subjective and it would have to be dealt with very carefully.”
Potential customers approaching vehicles and then booking a journey there and then is not considered touting, but it was to be the other way around, the driver would be in the wrong.
Tariq Mahmood, chairman of the Newcastle and Kidsgrove Taxi Association, feels impounding vehicles could have a negative impact on drivers’ families.
He said: “The penalty is far too harsh and I certainly don’t agree with it.
“Drivers caught touting should be warned first, then fined or even suspended for a few weeks if they don’t stop. Taking away a car should only be used as a last resort.
“Driving is their living and if they lose their car, they could lose their job. A lot of them have families to support at home and they shouldn’t be punished for one mistake.”
A committee member for the Cheshire East Licensed Vehicle Association, Stephen Quigley, said: “There certainly should be a deterrent to stop touting, but maybe a warning first would be better than impounding cars.
“But at the end of the day, touting is something drivers shouldn’t be doing and if they want to do it they should face the consequences.”
Nicholas Paines QC, the Law Commissioner leading on the project, said: “The taxi and private hire trades are of enormous value to England and Wales.
“They provide a living for thousands of operators and drivers, and many more thousands of people depend on them to go about their daily lives.
“The reforms we are recommending will clarify the legal distinction between taxis and private hire services, and retain the valuable qualities of both.
“They will equip operators, drivers and their vehicles to meet the demands of a modern passenger-service trade, while making passenger safety and accessibility paramount.”
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