Taxi Driver Online

http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=12391

Don't put your life at risk by getting into an unlicensed taxi

Thousands of people will put their lives at risk by getting into an unlicensed minicab during the Christmas and New Year.

There are believed to be 30,000 illegal minicab drivers operating in Britain and together they are responsible for an estimated 5,000 sexual assaults each year.

In London alone illegal minicab drivers sexually assault one women every three days, and rape at least three women per month.

Advice from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust :

Taxis (Hackney Carriages) can be hailed in the street. They look like purpose built taxis or black cabs and have an illuminated taxi sign on the roof

Always used a licensed minicab

Licensed minicabs cannot be hailed in the street. They must be pre-booked. The driver should have ID and the vehicle will have some sort of license displayed on it

Cars cruising the streets looking for customers are illegal, uninsured and potentially very dangerous

Carry the telephone number of a trusted, licensed company with you
If possible, book a taxi or minicab in advance. Ask for the driver's name, as well as the make and colour of the car

Confirm the driver's details when they arrive is it the taxi or minicab you ordered?

If you are ordering a cab from a public place, try not to let people overhear your name and address - anyone could pretend to be your cab

Sharing a taxi or minicab with a friend and sitting in the back of the car are also good safety strategies

If you chat to the driver, be careful not to give out any personal details
Never use taxis or minicabs that are not licensed. If you do you are getting into a vehicle with a stranger. Many people who have used these cabs have been the victims of crimes such as theft, assault and rape
If you feel threatened :

Remember to trust your instincts - if you are at all worried - ask the driver to stop in a busy area, and get out of the car.

If the driver refuses to stop, use a mobile (if you have one) to call the police and alert other drivers and pedestrians by waving or calling out the window.

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

Sex attack on Horsforth girl sparks bogus taxi warning

WOMEN are being urged to stay safe over New Year by double checking taxies to make sure they are genuine.

A number of organisations have issued warnings about the potential dangers posed by unlicensed cabs during the party season.

The warnings have come just weeks after a sex attack on a teenager girl by a bogus taxi driver in Horsforth. The 17-year-old was subjected to a terrifying attack when she got into the vehicle in Horsforth thinking it was a private hire taxi she had booked.

Last week police appealed for witnesses to help catch the attacker who picked the teenager up near the Yarnbury Rugby Club at around 11.40pm on Wednesday December 13.

The vehicle, which is described as white or silver with a black interior, was driven by an Asian man aged between 25 and 26. Another Asian man was sitting in the back of the car.

"The message is clear - book your taxi before you leave home."
Councillor Hazel Harding

As the festive season got under way, warnings about double checking taxis were issued by Leeds City Council, the Local Government Association and the national campaign, Taxiwise.

A Leeds City Council spokesman said: "Whenever anyone uses a taxi to get home there are a number of steps to take to make sure the journey will be safe and legal.

"Under no circumstances should an unlicensed taxi be used as these will always be uninsured and the drivers hard to trace in the event of an incident. Private hire vehicles should have clearly marked stickers on their doors with the company name and vehicle number. Private hire cars should always be pre-booked in order to make sure the journey is insured.

The Local Government Association has also issued a stark warning to taxi users - urging them not to risk their lives'.

Coun Hazel Harding, chairman of the LGA's safer communities board, said: "People can become more vulnerable when celebrating - not least with alcohol.

"Each year we read of assaults, robberies and people being driven in unroadworthy vehicle. The message is clear, book you taxi before you leave home."

The safety message is also being emphasised by TV presenter Lisa Snowdon who is backing the call for vigilance by the campaign group Taxiwise.

She warned that it was easy for people to go out for a party over the festive season, have a couple more drinks than they would normally have and then get into the first vehicle that pulls up offering to take them home.

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

So what does the [edited by admin] in charge of London do?

The whole, and I mean the WHOLE of central London is closed of to ALL vehicles on New Years Eve from 8PM to 4AM.

So people either walk miles to find a Taxi or take the tube, thats it.

What a [edited by admin]* the ageing socialist Livingstone is, I haven't spoken to one driver who is working that night because of the chaos that he's going to cause, so the unlicensed, the 'taxee boss?' crew, and rapists in general should have a field day.

GBC back in CRETIN mode are we, kindly explain how touts hack or phv get into central London when its closed?
This was done for public safety, Ken must be heartily congratulated,free tube as well BRILLIANT, might actually save some lives also im told some hack [edited by admin] drive on remoulds these days.
UP THE REPUBLIC KEN FOR ANOTHER 4 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_________________
The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

You wanna know why you came out with that keck Terry? I'll tell you why.....

The typical response of a commited socialist in screaming racism, thug and murderers at those that have a difference of opinion to them politically shows just how poisioned the union is against any form of democratic opinion and laughable at best when he then refers to 'democratic procedures'

And there's only one bunch of c*nts in London, and thats your bully boy's from the GMB.

Your a relic from the past whose long past his sell by date, it's time for you to retire.

I say old chap no need to throw your dummy out of the pram,Ken was acting on advice from your HEROES the Met.And for once the fi--ys got it right. Now kindly explain my old mate, how rapists and touts access central London? The only way i can see is if they BUNG your mates? perhaps you have some inside info?
Do you really use REMOULDS?????????????
Ken for another 4 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any chance of an answer my dear friend???????????

_________________
The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

I'll always give you an answer if your polite Terrence.

Central London is closed of, and as you know that means the whole of the area.

Because of the gridlock and no access, few Taxi's will bother to work, it's more hassle than its worth.

About 20 Licensed Minicab offices (your members perhaps?) will be unable to operate their services as the offices are inside this ridiculous exclusion zone, so their drivers won't be out either, so who does that leave? Who would risk anything to nick a fare?

Touts, it's that simple.

New years eve is no worse than a busy Friday night around pay day, I don't see central London being closed off for that?

Its a simple explanation, your hero the socialist wants people to stay away from central London that night, and those that do make the trip are being made to use the tube, in some vain hope they take a liking to it and use it again, and that's money from your members pockets.

I have four Hudson Taxi tyres now, and they're top tyres.

Thousands of taxi's use remoulds, they're approved to a British Standard with a kite mark, and approved to the PCO Taxi spec.

Have a look at any Minicab office, and you will see exactly the same selection of remoulds approved to the same PCO standard.

A few years ago many people were killed in Traf SQ, obviously the fil-ys cant be exposed for their incompetence again.Our brilliant Mayor quite obviously HAS to accept their advice.You disagree?
So many companies cant work, safety first,You disagree?
Remoulds, when they put them on a vehicle transporting the parasites then maybe i ll agree their SAFE. Seeing you earn SO MUCH £££££ why do you bother, have you got them on your DISCOVERY didnt look like it the other day.
New years eve has an unfortunate history of accidents in London always due to the INCOMPETENCE of your mates the ROZZERS.Perhaps you were up in sweaty land at the time.
OUR DAY WILL COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_________________
The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

You mean one person died in 1998 through crush injuries.

Well that's justification for closing London then.

I hope the fool Livingstone will be closing the tube network every morning and night as that's twenty times worst.

If you are in posession of evidence which show's the Police were neglegent on any occassion which has lead to injuries, tell the appropriate people, don't moan about it on a Taxi forum.

Reality dictates it comes down to people who are not in control of all their facilties through drink.

Ring any bells?

PS, I'd have a hard job having remoulds on the discovery, it went last month.

Enter Toyota Avensis.

Is this the same Suzy Lamplugh Trust that apparently supports unlicensed Pink Cabs ?

_________________
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_around_the_world

Its at times like this that I am so glad that I live where I do now. Minicabs aren't allowed; PH must have a Hack badge and all the same requirements for the car; must have meter and same rates etc.

I moved out of London for the sake of my kids - and the Knowledge is still worth having if you work out of London - you never know what jobs crop up!

To give my LA their due you can't possibly mistake a private car for a "cab" round here!

GBC a good few yrars ago in Traf Sq many died, there was a cover up as you would expect.Rozzers totaly responsible, of course!
Given that Ken surely has no alternative but to follow their advice these days?
The big change today is the Firework Display which attracts huge numbers, add this to the normal revelers many of whom will be brahmed a time for caution surely?
Toyota should be good, might even have been built in UK, surely not remoulds on that?
Happy new year!!!!!!!!!!!!
DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY THOSE THAT TURN UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_________________
The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

GMB wrote;
.
GMB, you are mad!. Your saying that people died in trafalgar square and the police covered it up. You really have lost the plot, everything to you is a conspiricy or a cover up.

_________________
stressed controller!!!

KEN IS A PRAT we all know it and thats tha,t he a self indulgent man who will help provided he get something out of it and we know the bus companies pay him well

Terry.

I bought a bagel today, and it appeared the amount of salt beef was less than I got last year, any theory on that?

Mind you, the mustard portion was more.