Rudeness and smoking lead to complaints against taxi drivers in Hinckley BEING rude, smoking in their vehicles and over-charging people are just some of the complaints that have been made against taxi drivers in the borough.
A typical complaint to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, the licensing authority, is rudeness.
But there have also been five occasions where the public complained to the council that taxi drivers were smoking in their cab - something which has been illegal since the Public Health Act in 2006 which ended smoking in work vehicles and is not a licensing matter.
The information was revealed by a Freedom of Information request made to the borough council. People have also complained that taxi drivers have parked on pavements, blocking their path. Three complaints in the last five years were from passengers who believed they had been over-charged.
A spokesman for the borough council said: “All complaints are investigated and all drivers are interviewed by the council’s licensing officer. The driver can opt to be accompanied by a taxi trade representative at this interview.
“Following the interview, the driver may receive a verbal or a written warning as a result of complaints for bad behaviour.
“Typically, 50% of drivers are given a verbal warning, with 30% being reminded to just be polite and professional and not to get involved in any heated discussions, and the remaining 20% given a formal warning.”
In the past five years there has not been more than one complaint against any driver.
The council would only suspend a license as a result of a conviction that would be shown on CRB checks, a DVLA licence check or an arrest that would undermine the safety of the public.
source:
http://www.hinckleytimes.net/news-in-hi ... -32052213/
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