Taxi Driver Online

September 13, 2007 Thursday

Taxi driver ticked off for smoking in his cab

Penny Coles

York Press

A YORK taxi driver has been ticked off after being caught smoking in his own cab.

The driver was caught during a spot check of hackney cabs and private hire vehicles by City of York Council's smokefree enforcement officers.

According to the council, the spot checks revealed that 13 of the 41 vehicles stopped did not have "no smoking" signs in their vehicles, or had incorrect signs.

Dawn Clarkson, the council's senior smokefree enforcement officer, said: "All hackney and private hire vehicle owners and drivers have been issued with detailed information about their responsibilities in relation to the new legislation, so it was a little bit disappointing to come across so many breaches.

"We are writing to all drivers and owners again to remind them of their responsibilities. Signage has been made available free of charge from the Smokefree England website, taxi licensing and at vehicle inspections."

"Smokefree legislation requires smoke free vehicles to display a no smoking' sign in each compartment of the vehicle.

"This must show the international no smoking symbol, which must be at least 70mm in diameter. Smoke free vehicles are required to be smoke free at all times."

New laws which ban smoking from all enclosed spaces in England including taxis came into effect on July 1, this year.

Barry Hemer, who is the chairman of the York Private Hire Association, said: "As far as I am aware, the driver has said he did not realise that he was not supposed to smoke in his taxi and that it was an accident.

"Hopefully, this implies that it won't happen again and to ensure that everyone is aware of the new legislation, we are working with City of York Council to notify everybody of the changes.

"I understand City of York Council will be writing to taxi drivers individually and we will be putting up notices in our offices."
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That's no way to Refer to JD..

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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!