Driver safety boosted as cabs are fitted with CCTV Around 40 cabs have been fitted with CCTV as part of a huge safety push for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers.
This week Balal Shah of A1 Cars in Mill Street, Bedford, handed out the cameras to drivers working late shifts as protection is stepped up following the death of cabbie Mehar Dhariwal.
Nintety cameras were donated to drivers around the borough by PoliceWitness.com – a free public service that liaises directly with the police – after Mr Dhariwal was killed in January.
At last week’s meeting of Bedfordshire on Sunday’s Cabbie and Passenger Safety (CaPS) campaign, Bedford Borough Council’s head of registration and records, Keith Simmons, admitted he wouldn’t drive a cab without CCTV in it.
Mr Shah, who says the introductions of the cameras are to protect both drivers and passengers, said: “We gave the cameras as a priority to those who work the late shift as it those who are more at risk.
“This is the start of a long-term plan to change the image of the trade to view as a more professional business.
“It’s not something that will happen overnight.
“The cameras act as a deterrent and most definitely they can save lives. It must not be forgotten it is to aid both drivers and passengers – it’s a two way partnership.” In comparison at the other end of the X5 route in Oxford cabbies have been protesting AGAINST the use of CCTV in their vehicles claiming it infringes their civil liberties. Oxford City Council has made it compulsory for all their cabs to have CCTV by April 2015.
It is believed it will cost £260,000 to fit 665 of the vehicles with the equipment.
source:
http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News ... 052012.htm
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