Don't know if the
numbers here mean that much. It's maybe like the plying for hire thing in another thread - the figures for the number of drivers prosecuted or even warned/suspended or whatever are probably meaningless as regards actual offences committed, in the nationwide context at least.
Of course, in terms of numbers being representative of the whole, you'd guess that in a context like this they would indeed be more realistic as compared to PFH 'detections' across the whole country.
But the classic in this regards was quite a few years ago now, when a Fife environmental enforcement officer was quoted in the press saying the smoking ban was a roaring success because only a handful of drivers were given FPNs.
In fact, even in the St Andrews area alone, a few drivers were continuing to smoke like chimneys in their cars
I recall one of the regulars, for example, smoking a couple of fags between getting from one end of the rank to the other end - I could see him clearly in my rear view mirror.
So I'd guess that, even in the St Andrews area alone, there were hundreds of thousands of infringements over several years, as opposed to the handful of FPNs handed out
(It gradually fizzled out, as the older drivers disappeared, and fewer of the newer drivers actually smoked. I think something must have happened a few years into it all as well in terms of enforcement, because it all did seem to reduce significantly at one point, although by that time I'd stopped paying too much attention, and was never actually aware of any formal enforcement stuff locally...)
Taxi drivers not adhering to dress code almost doubleshttps://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/25 ... t-doubles/THE number of taxi drivers in North Ayrshire not adhering to the dress code has almost doubled since rules were relaxed, the area's licensing committee heard last week.And from now, cabbies who fail to comply with the code will only get one warning - and if caught again they will be hauled in front of the committee.
Drew Robertson, civic licensing standards officer, told the meeting: “The new standard of dress was brought in in September 2024. From October 31, 2023 until September 10, 2024 before new conditions were brought in, 10 taxi drivers received verbal warnings.
“From September 10, 2024 until now, 19 taxi drivers received verbal warnings in connection with the way they had been dressed, meaning non-compliance.
“This would be non-compliance of between 10 and 15 per cent. If they have received one warning, they will not get another one if caught again and will be appearing before the licensing committee.
“None of the drivers have complained about the new dress code.”
Cllr Christina Larsen asked: “Are we saying that since the dress code was relaxed, you’re getting more not complying than we had at a stricter level?”
Mr Robertson said: “Probably we are getting slightly more although it goes over a slightly longer period.”
He explained that it was mostly shirts and trousers which were falling foul of the dress code.
The standards of dress code currently are as follows:
● When the vehicle is operating as a taxi or private hire car, the licence holder must conduct themselves in a proper and civil manner and be clean and tidy in appearance. Licence holders must, when operating the licensed vehicle, conform to the following “Standards of Dress”
● For identification purposes, the licence holder must not wear a hat, cap, baseball style cap, beanie hat or any other head-wear while driving the vehicle when under hire or plying for hire.
● Trousers must be full length dress style with belt hoops and skirts must be of plain dark colours and not highly patterned.
● Black coloured jeans are permitted. Polo shirts must be one colour and have a collar with no printing or lettering except a small manufacturer’s logo. It is acceptable for a company name or logo on the shirt.
● Dress shorts and chino style shorts may be worn at any time of the year provided they have belt hoops and are one colour. Three-quarter length shorts and cargo style shorts are not permitted.
● There may be a small manufacturer’s logo. Any tie should be a clip-on style for the driver’s own personal safety.
● Jumpers, either crew or v-neck, are permitted provided they are not highly patterned and may have a small manufacturer’s logo, or taxi firm or association details. Hoodies are not permitted and footwear may be either shoes or training shoes.
● Departure from any of these requirements is permitted only where a particular type of clothing is required by the traditional and customary practice of the licence holder’s religion.
Login
Register
FAQ
