Taxi Driver Online

I suppose this is useful enough as regards the average reader of the Echo, if not trade anoraks.

But thanks for pointing out to people that it's not specifically illegal for passengers to drink alcohol in a cab

I'm sure drivers on Merseyside will be cock-a-hoop with the Echo for that

Apart from that, article appears to come to a juddering halt, and feels like there's a bit missing off the end. But that's it, as far as I can see


People could be hit with £200 fine in taxi home after night out

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk ... e-25376234

Getting a cab means you can leave the car at home and let your hair down, but there are a number of rules you need to follow

Taxis are a godsend for many people needing to get from A to B.

Whether you're popping to the shops, have been caught short by a public transport issue, or want to go out and leave the car behind, jumping in a cab is a great way to get where you need to go. But there are a number of strict laws that must be adhered to while in a taxi or private hire vehicle.

For example, many local councils now require CCTV to be installed, as they can help to fight crime and protect both drivers and passengers.

There are also different laws regarding seatbelts, compared to normal cars.

Licensed taxi drivers carrying passengers or "plying for hire" do not have to wear seatbelts. The reason behind this unusual law is to protect taxi drivers from being attacked – it’s thought that a seat belt could be used to hold the driver down in their seat.

Another reason is that it simply makes it easier for taxi drivers to move in and out of their vehicle to assist passengers, according to experts at Swinton insurance. Taxi passengers must, of course, always wear seatbelts.

A number of rules may affect passengers returning from a night out, too.

While you might think that it’s illegal to have an open alcohol container in a taxi, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not. There are no laws against an adult taxi passenger drinking alcohol while riding in a cab.

But while you can't be fined for drinking, you could be hit with a harsh penalty if you smoke in a taxi, and this includes e-cigarettes. As has been the case since 2007, smoking isn’t allowed in enclosed public places, workplaces and public and work vehicles. This includes all taxis and private hire vehicles, even when the vehicle isn’t carrying passengers.

It’s also a requirement for no smoking signage to be displayed, and any drivers or passengers caught flouting the rules can be fined up to £200.

It may not be illegal to drink in the cab but it can be made a "condition of hire" that no food or drink can be consumed in the cab.

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Grandad,

Indeed, Grandad, and of course it's common for drivers to disallow drinking, and eating of food etc.

But, of course, this varies depending on the location and type of passenger etc. I well remember working nights in Dundee when it was still legal to smoke in taxis, and I generally wouldn't object to avoid a kick off.

On the other hand, when I started working in St Andrews I was a lot more inclined to object to passengers smoking, although passengers in St Andrews were a lot less likely to want to smoke than passengers in Dundee anyway

Same with food, and of course ironically the other thread today includes the story about the Manc driver kicked to death because he objected to eating in his cab.

So it doesn't help in this regard that the Echo is pointing out that there's no general ban on drinking alcohol in cabs, and that it's effectively up to individual drivers to enforce their own rule.

In our licensing conditions we can be given penalty points on our license if evidence of consumption of food and drink in our vehicles is found by the LO

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

Is that consumption by customers or drivers? I have to carry certain foodstuffs with me in order to drive. I am a diabetic.

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Grandad,

not read the document for a year or two but IIRC it does not specify

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

Did it for you, Edders

Doesn't look like there's any specific ban on either drivers or customers eating or drinking in the cars, but the SKDC code of good conduct says:


However, the penalty points scheme says:


http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/CHttpHa ... =28058&p=0 (pages 80 and 82)

Which presumably just means that drivers should not leave crumbs or wrappers lying about in their car, and should clean up anything left by punters

Of course, proportionality would be important here - I mean, it's presumably possible to find traces of food in the vast majority of cabs, for example the odd crumb between the front seats and the centre console that it's impossible to even vacuum out. Or at least that's the case in my Passat (it was easier to get between the seats and the console in my old Mondeo). I mean, if it was that easy would I leave all those coins down there for weeks until spending twenty minutes prising them out?

So presumably the rule would be applied reasonably and proportionately, but Edders will know a bit more about that than any of us.

I try not to eat in the car, but if I have any waste and there's no bin convenient, then I often put it under the driver's seat to dispose of later. (My usual is apple cores and banana skins, or maybe the odd crisp bag or plastic bottle). I wonder what the SKDC LOs would think of that?

You try getting into a cab with an opened can of beer.

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IDFIMH