The case is very well made here, but nothing particularly new in the grand scheme of things, nor anything particularly new from this chap either.
But I wonder if the academics will be as interested in this from the drivers' angle than from the women passengers' perspective?
Any anyone who feels the need to see a high-res, uncropped version of the photo here should visit the link at the bottom
Chorley taxi boss to bring driver safety survey to Bolton
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/25 ... ey-bolton/
Image: The Bolton News
A taxi boss says drivers are “too often on the frontline of abuse each day” with research under way to highlight the dangers they face.
Shaz Malik, boss of the Chorley Taxi Association, has previously helped run a passengers’ safety survey in Bolton and beyond in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire.
Having frequently spoken out about attacks drivers in the borough have faced in the past, he now aims to conduct a similar survey for those working in the profession themselves.
Mr Malik said: “Taxi drivers are too often on the frontline of abuse each day. Many report being shouted at, sworn at.
“Others have faced aggressive passengers who refuse to pay fares, damage vehicles, or threaten violence.
“There are too many cases where drivers have been physically assaulted, spat at, robbed and on rare but devastating occasions left with life-changing injuries.
“The late-night economy presents particular dangers.
“After pubs and clubs close, alcohol and drugs can fuel unpredictable behaviour, leading to confrontations and sometimes shocking violence.
“Women drivers, in particular, have reported harassment, inappropriate comments, and feeling unsafe when alone with male passengers.”
Mr Malik has been a frequent commenter on issues facing the taxi industry in recent years.
In December 2023, he said he feared drivers were coming to be seen as “punching bags” after a string of high-profile incidents in Bolton.
These included an incident in July 2023 when a driver was pelted with stones and mud in Bromley Cross, while in February 2022 a brick was thrown at a moving taxi in Breighmet.
Mr Malik, who sits as both chair of Chorley Taxi Association and a board member of the National Private Hire Taxi Association, says he plans to research these issues more deeply.
He said: “This is not just a local concern.
“Across the UK, we have seen disturbing examples of drivers targeted racist abuse at ranks, robberies during late-night pick-ups, and violent incidents over fare disputes or when drivers have refused to carry unsafe passengers.
“Such attacks not only traumatise drivers, but ripple through their families, colleagues, and communities.
“They discourage decent, hard-working people from joining or staying in the trade, which weakens the industry as a whole.”
He added: “That’s why we will continue working closely with UCLan to dig deeper into the realities of driver safety.
“This collaboration will give us a real opportunity to capture evidence, listen to driver experiences, and shine a national spotlight on the issue.
“We want to use these insights not just for discussion, but to bring about meaningful change and work with government officials.
“This means pressing for stronger safeguards, better reporting, closer partnership with the police and licensing authorities, and the use of technology that can protect both drivers and passengers.”
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/resourc ... /19988932/
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
