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Taxi driver says job is becoming increasingly risky after alleged row leaves driver with head injuries
A TAXI driver has spoken out about the danger cabbies face after an alleged row over a fare in Ness Road, Shoebury, led to one driver sustaining head injuries. The cabbie, believed to be in his 50s, suffered head injuries and also suffered a heart attack, but was resuscitated at the scene before being taken to hospital. The incident was allegedly the result of a dispute over just two pounds during the cabbie’s shift.
A 63-year-old taxi driver from Canvey, who asked not to be named, was appalled by the incident. He said: “I hope he is doing fine and I wish him a speedy recovery. We have such a dangerous job, and a lot of incidents happen during the night. I’m outraged that people think it’s all right to walk away without paying their fare in full. “I have been a cab driver for 27 years and I’ve had many people trying to dodge their fares. And sometimes passengers get violent. “Since the cutbacks to the police funding those sorts of incidents have become more prevalent.”
He added passengers use “all the tricks in the book” to avoid taxi fares and said: “They would say they’ll get inside their flat to get more money, or they say they need to go round the corner to the ATM. In the night shifts, sometimes you drive passengers who have had too many drinks. When they don’t want to pay you can’t argue with them because there’s a few of them in the car and they’re half my age. So I have to let it go.”
Conservative councillor James Moyies, from the West Shoebury ward, said: “Taxi driving is a dangerous occupation and I do feel for them. They bring our residents home safely and they shouldn’t be treated this way. I hope the man is alright. “I encourage all taxi drivers to install a CCTV camera in their vehicles as a safety precaution.”
Three teenage girls, aged 16 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. Two are from Shoebury and one is from Southend. They were released on Thursday under investigation.
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