Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies warn of dangerous bogus drivers



PARTYGOERS are being warned to beware of rogue cabbies in the run-up to the festive season.

Taxi bosses have launched a safety campaign to warn people about the dangers of getting into unlicensed cabs.

Noda Taxis, Newcastle’s biggest taxi firm, will be handing out pocket guides to customers containing safety tips.

The company is also using posters, leaflets and advertisements and will have a marshal on duty at the Central Station rank to ensure people get into cabs that are registered, licensed and safe.

In September, bogus cabbie Andrew Beal, 39, of Breamish, Ellington, Northumberland, was jailed indefinitely after trying to trap a teenage girl.

The convicted rapist cruised the city’s streets and a 19-year-old student got into his car on Newcastle’s Mosley Street.

Beal planned to molest her on the sheet-covered back seat of his VW Passat, but she was saved by the intervention of a genuine cabbie, Stephen Sholder, 49.

Mr Sholder, who is based at Newcastle Central Station, became suspicious, blocked in Beal’s car and alerted police. The judge said his vigilance had probably saved the student from a serious sexual assault. She was in fancy dress and returning from a birthday party.

The campaign message is “Do you know who’s taking you home tonight?”

Noda says the aim is to protect revellers and improve perceptions of the taxi trade.

Posters show a smartly dressed driver in uniform with his new, taxed and insured cab alongside a less savoury character masquerading as a cabbie.

The aim is to make people think before they get into a car after a night out. Campaign leaders say there are horror stories of rogue taxis and unscrupulous drivers, particularly at this time of the year.

In London, figures show 11 women are attacked each month after taking unlicensed minicabs and 80% of stranger rapes are committed by unlicensed cab drivers.

Jimmy Blake, contracts manager of Noda Taxis, said: “What we’re trying to get across is that the person taking you home might not be who you think they are.

“Even if they are genuine, you can’t always be sure you’re getting the same service and level of professionalism that we offer.

“The biggest safety message we can give to anyone is ‘follow your instincts’.”

Sgt Iain Boath said: “Although Northumbria Police do not endorse any particular taxi company, we do support the key message in this campaign which aims to protect patrons from rogue drivers and ensure that they are using a properly licensed taxi.”

Noda asked the public how they can help ease people’s minds about getting home after a night out.

As a result, they have put together a set of tips in the form of a pocket guide for staying safe which will be distributed as part of the campaign.

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin