Taxi Driver Online

Taxi boss: Rise in domestic violence by cabbies is council's fault


The bizarre claim was made by Charles Oaks, boss of Hackney Drivers Association Ltd, who has written to Bury council threatening legal action over ‘too tough’ safety rules which he says is leaving his members out of pocket


Charles Oaks

A cab boss has sparked outrage after blaming strict council rules for an increase in domestic abuse by drivers.

The bizarre claim was made by Charles Oaks, boss of Hackney Drivers Association Ltd, who has written to Bury council threatening legal action over ‘too tough’ safety rules which he says is leaving his members out of pocket.

In a letter to the town hall’s licensing panel Mr Oaks slams the so-called ‘five faults rule’ for black cabs that are more than 10 years old.

The rules – just enforced in Bury – bans hackney carriages from the road if they have more than five things wrong with them.

Mr Oaks says it is ‘killing’ the trade in the town.

He claims the policy goes too far because even minor faults, such as a bulb going on the dashboard, are included among the five rules.

And his letter says domestic violence is on the increase – because of the lack of money being earned by drivers whose cars are taken off the road.

But Sian Millward from Manchester Women’s Aid, a charity that cares for women suffering domestic abuse, said: “There is no evidence to show any link between domestic violence and financial hardship.

“There are high-profile cases like that of Charles Saatchi who has plenty of money.

“The only cause of domestic abuse is the desire to have power over someone you are in a relationship with.”

In his letter, Mr Oaks, who represents hundreds of drivers in Bury, Bolton and

Oldham, says: “Our members say ... it is also causing financial hardship not only to drivers but there [sic] families, and domestic violence is on the increase cased [sic] by the lack of money being earned, to which the councils [sic] policy’s [sic] are being blamed.”

The letter threatens legal action and a ‘go-slow’ protest through Bury town centre if the rule is not withdrawn – as well as demanding more testing stations and action to stop motorists parking at taxi ranks.

The chairman of the council’s licensing committee also condemned Mr Oaks’ claims – dismissing any link between financial hardship and domestic violence.

Coun David Jones said: “The first priority of us as a licensing authority is that taxi customers travel in a safety and comfort – that is our top priority.

“To try and make a link between council policy and domestic violence is demeaning to people.”

Mr Oaks denied ‘condoning’ domestic violence, saying it was a ‘fact of life.


http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... rs-6303641

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

Charlie boy you certainly know how to get yourself some publicity !

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Perhaps Mr Oakes is implying that it's the drivers that are leathered by their beloved other half for not bringing in enough money, just a thought.

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

F*** me, that is one scary sight.

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IDFIMH

I think they're on about this.

Just imagine him doing his night job at the disco door

FFS that Italian mafia tune keeps going through my head
What the Don says goes no wonder his spelling is all over the place he also needs google translator

he's got a point - nothing causes strife at home as much as a lack of money......and those that disagree are living in denial

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

But your a masochist CC you love it

yeah my ho's know their place

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

I agree.

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IDFIMH

East Lancashire cabbies violence claim ‘smears’ profession


Charles Oaks defends his comments about the risk of violence from taxi drivers forced off the road due to new rulesCharles Oaks defends his comments about the risk of violence from taxi drivers forced off the road due to new rules

A TAXI boss has come under fire after claiming drivers commit domestic abuse because of new council rules.

Charles Oaks, head of the Hackney Drivers’ Association Ltd, claimed stricter vehicle safety rules led to violence because drivers were earning less.

Mr Oaks, who has campaigned on behalf of East Lancashire cabbies in the past, made the comments as he condemned Bury Council’s new rule which forces any Hackney cab, more than 10-years-old and which has five faults, off the road.

Mohammad Younis, chairman of the Blackburn with Darwen Hackney Carriage Association (HCA), said Mr Oaks was smearing the whole profession.

He said: “His comments are completely misguided and they hurt every taxi driver who drives a Hackney cab.

“I have never heard of this link between council policy and domestic abuse and it just doesn’t make sense.

“His comments give the impression that every driver beats their wife, which just simply is not the case.

“Mr Oaks is not helping the drivers he represents and is hurting the whole profession. I don’t know where he is coming from on this issue and I think he shouldn’t have said anything.”

Mr Oaks, who represents drivers in Bolton, Bury and Preston has threatened legal action over the rules which he describes as ‘too tough’.

He said: “Drivers are being put under extreme pressure and my members have told me that there is a link between not earning enough money and domestic abuse.

“I don’t report anything that my members have not told me and this is about highlighting a serious issue to councils.

“All I’m doing is representing my members and certainly not smearing the profession as a whole.

“I represent more Hackney cab drivers in Blackburn than the HCA and I’m firmly committed to their interests.”

Bury Council said the safety and comfort of passengers was its priority.

source: http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/NE ... rofession/

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

What a load of cobblers. Domestic violence is about control and nothing else.

Or the lack of it. I'm afraid Charles is talking from his backside, people who commit domestic violence do so for any reason in their heads at the time. Whilst financial strife may cause arguments it doesn't cause violence unless there is already violence within the relationship. As billybob said it is about control over another person and to be perfectly honest if Charles is aware of such violence then he seriously needs to start looking for proper help for these batterers and not support them by giving them justification.

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I wouldn't say 'nothing else' but it is the major factor.

However you miss the point being made, the lack of money leads to DV happening more often IMO.

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IDFIMH

yes that is what i am told, by members in Bury and yes its coused a little upset, in bury they have a five fault rule for vehciles over 6 years if it fails its off not re licensed but the P/Hire are not on the same, how unfare is that and it is causeig problems. but toots is right it is the wife becasue there is no mony coming in.

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com