Taxi Driver Online

Nationwide drive for new taxi laws



A SURVIVORS’ group which helped tighten taxi rules in Rotherham after the child sex scandal wants stricter laws across the UK.

The Rotherham CSE Steering Group is writing to all councils in the country, urging them to take a similar stance with licensing.

New rules imposed by commissioner Mary Ney mean the majority of the borough’s cabs will need cameras and audio kit by July 6.

And “Katie”, a member of the steering group which advised RMBC, said: “We are now putting together a national plan to help prevent and reduce CSE.

“Part of our plan will be covering licensing policies, including taxis to make it safer for all passengers and drivers.

“We are contacting all councils throughout the UK to put our suggestions in place as we feel this can reduce all forms of crime.”

The steering group was consulted by Rotherham Borough Council on licensing changes explored after the Jay report highlighted the “prominent” role of taxis in CSE.

Now members — aiming to be heard by other authorities — have held meetings with Kirklees Council in Huddersfield, North Yorkshire County Council and spoken at a multi-agency event in Durham.

On Wednesday, they met Sheffield Council officials and group member “Jessica” said: “We’ve had some positive responses.

“I think they need to have stricter taxi licensing.

“Some drivers who are not happy about the cameras are moving to Sheffield or Barnsley for their plates but still operating in Rotherham.

“Why are people going to these lengths? The cameras are not going to be for child sexual exploitation, it could be an assault of a driver, anything.

“The main thing that we were fighting for with taxis is CCTV and audio. This is not just a problem for Rotherham, so it’s something we wanted to put in the national plan.”

RMBC’s new policy means all journeys must be video recorded, with audio activated when the passenger is a child or vulnerable adult. Drivers are unable to access footage.

The steering group has called for further measures to be introduced, including glass separating minicab drivers from passengers, a ban on under-16s in the front seat and enhanced DBS checks on drivers.

Jessica said: “People in our group like to put their ideas forward, but we’re all at different stages, so not everyone’s ready or feels strong enough to do meetings or conferences.

“At our art therapy group we have about 20 people but it’s a smaller core who are involved in the national plan.

“I’ve made friends in the steering group with people who I now speak to every single day.

“We want to tackle CSE from every angle, but that will take years to do.”

Rotherham drivers whose renewal date falls after July 6 have until they submit a new application to install the required equipment.

RMBC says this affects 150 of 780 vehicles.

The steering group can be contacted on RSG1400@mail.com.

source: http://rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/1 ... -laws.aspx

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

This shower should not blame everyone else for Rotherhams failings, theres enough regulation in place already if the LA's were to apply it, anymore regulation and the fechin job won't be viable at the prices customers are prepared to pay.

I believe psychiatrists refer to it as guilt transference unfortunately the world is full of zealots like this having been embarrassed and shown up they become reformed characters and try to ram their new found cause down everyone's throat in the belief that it is their life's mission and they are doing some good

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Glass screens in Minicabs what a cracking idea a prime example of failure to engage brain before opening mouth.

yeah - its almost as if they have no reason for trusting licensed drivers

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

Maybe they fear Licensed drivers will nail dead chickens to their doors...Bad Voodoo n bad ju ju.

Whats the point in having a steering group when it has nothing to steer or drive. A lack of child safety maybe lies with the attitudes of a few dysfunctional families rather than the Taxi trade per se..Parents have a responsibility to look after their own..I should know Ive been both a Child and a Parent and found With kids it's "if In doubt don't let em".

Can't see what a partitions going to solve, it'll allow the kids to fight with each other unchecked, it'll stop you knowing what they are up to. it could even lead to a kid choking to death on a Kola cube without the driver even knowing...fechin daft idea.

Still no mention of who is funding all this expense?

Utimately and simply because gravity draws things downwards and because we in the trade are as low as surface dwellers can be then eventuallty the financial burden will all fall on ....

I wonder when they will realise that drivers from outside of England do not provide the same information as British drivers...so there is no point in having one . same as us or they don't get a licence...

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Simple solution, BAN all children from being carried in licensed vehicles unless accompanied by a responsible adult. Uh wait, that would mean parents having to take some responsibility for the safety of their offspring.