Taxi Driver Online

End of road for taxi slogan

COUNCIL bosses have been branded "jobsworths" for ordering local private hire drivers to remove a road- safety slogan from their cars.

Cabbies had painted signs on their vehicles reading "Don't Drink and Drive - Ring All the Fives".

But the slogan, giving their telephone number, was said by the licensing authority to be too commercial and Middleton-based Connect Cars was told it had to go.

Drivers said they wanted to support the drink-drive campaign and saw no harm in advertising in a bid to keep drunks off the road.

The Campaign against Drinking and Driving has backed them, saying the move by Rochdale Council is "ridiculous".

Spokesman Carole Whittingham said: "Of course they're promoting their own business and why not?

"If by publicising their contact number they can keep just one drunk driver off the roads it would be well worthwhile. We wholeheartedly applaud what they are trying to do, and those responsible for this ludicrous decision are just jobsworths. The council should endorse this sort of action. It could save lives."

Connect Cars driver Bob Matthews said: "The police were happy with what we were trying to do to supplement their campaign, but then the council stepped in and said the slogans were too commercial.

"I can't see that. They allow all the black cabs to run around with all sorts of advertising on them, and yet when we genuinely want to do something to help road safety, it's Big Brother time."

Bev Wilkinson, Rochdale Council's licensing manager, said: "All private hire operators are fully aware of the conditions relating to advertising and signs on private hire vehicles. If this company wishes to apply for such signage then every consideration will be given."

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IDFIMH

Have they moved manchester to rochdale?

Never heard such a lot of claptrap in all my life, revoke there licenses, then shoot them

Captain cab

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

Getting a bit senile Cap?

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IDFIMH

if you ever get advised your gonna get a knowledge test down there....start worrying

Captain cab

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