Taxi Driver Online

Taxi CCTV cameras given council go-ahead

CCTV cameras are set to be installed in 40 black cabs for the first time to protect drivers – but they won’t be able to view the footage.

City Cabs has announced it is giving its taxi drivers the option to have their vehicle fitted with a safety camera, after the scheme was approved by the city council.

Les McVay, the company secretary, said that having cab cameras will make drivers feel safe at work and will “defuse” any situation that may arise in the vehicle between a driver and a passenger. However the footage can only be viewed by the council or police.

Mr McVay said it was an important move to protect his drivers. “There is a growing trend in passengers, cyclists and road users recording activities and then being selective in what they use.


“For example, one driver picked up five people at 2am on a Sunday in Edinburgh. There were three guys and two girls, the driver was racially abused and asked them to get out of the vehicle.”

He explained that four of the passengers got out but one didn’t.

Mr McVay, who has been a taxi driver for 35 years, added: “It was one of the taxis with sliding doors, and the door hadn’t been shut properly when the driver drove off.

“The guy then filmed the taxi from then on with the door open and shouting help. He tried to charge the driver with holding a customer against their will.”

Mr McVay said the cameras would also help with situations such as road traffic accidents and people refusing to pay.

However, the cameras have only been approved by the council under certain conditions.

Mr McVay added: “The licence holder is the data controller.

“All the information from the camera must be stored securely and if it is not, it is the licence holder that will be prosecuted.

“Cabs will be fitted with an encrypted box that will work on a 21-28 day loop, and then it will overwrite itself.

“The only way the footage will be viewed is if the police or the council ask to see it.”

Mr McVay said he was concerned many passengers would think there will be people watching them 24/7 via monitors but stressed this will not be the case.

The new cameras will also be fitted with a part-time audio function, that will act as a “panic button” for drivers.

It gives drivers the ability to record what is being said in their taxi for four minutes – in the event they were being 
verbally abused.

Gavin Barrie, convenor of the regulatory and licensing sub-committee said: “We think it is a positive move and we encourage taxi drivers to take up the opportunity. It will remain voluntary.”

He added: “There is always going to be public service disputes between customers and taxi drivers.”

source: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/n ... -1-3860556

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

And the cost is.......?

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Common sense........is just not that Common.

I think it was mentioned in the original post made by Les in another post.

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Grandad,

About time.

CCtV is a good thing but expensive now because of rules and regulations towards the taxi driver.

The example given about passenger in the back of open door taxi filming unwanted journey did not cost passenger anything.

I also thought taxis had alarms fitted for doors being open.

The taxi driver could have used his phone as did the customer in the back of the cab and prove he was being abused.

It's not expensive if you get attacked or robbed or, you're involved in a accident. All it takes is 15 minutes of your time to nip to the registered data holder who'll then swap the hard drive for another one once you've given them the times and location of the event.

THE COST FFS YER LIFE MAYBE WITHOUT ONE ..................................I'D WILLING PAY £10 A WEEK FOR ONE

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Bad move.

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IDFIMH

Less than your livelihood or well being.

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IDFIMH

If you are insured with certain insurers, including the best known taxi insurer, and your system is a good one, then that insurer will give you at least 10% off your premium. No gimmicks, at least 10% off.

If you are paying a £1000 a year, then your CCTV is free in five years.

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IDFIMH

There are a lot of good dash cams out there and cctv systems at a fraction of the cost and the insurance companies will give you discount.
The difference is the authorities want there cut claiming they want secure systems in taxis.

You do not need cameras in taxis to take stupid videos you can use your phone.

I am totally in favor of driver security but the price you pay is a bit over the top

So when a punter starts at you do you have to say to the punter "Hang on a minute while I stop the car and get my phone out and find the record button so I can record this incident."

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Grandad,

No you don't need to just switch audio record on that will do for starters

That should be nice and easy when you are being attacked. It is a lot easier if you have the right equipment for the job running all the time.

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Grandad,

So the scum punter will give you a running commentary when he is giving you a beating?

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IDFIMH