Taxi Driver Online

Does anyone agree with me in saying that cctv in cabs turns some peed up punters into animals and makes it worse for ourselves. The majority of punters are ok so why should they have their privacy taken away. Will this affect trade much?

No

You are not taking away anyones privacy, the inside of a cab is classed as an enclosed public place, unless you carry deadbeats who don't give a sh*t, cameras or not.

only trouble is that unfortunately we do not know what scum we have picked up until afterwards. We can not be 100% right all the time,but i suppose that is why we risk our lives everyday.As the saying goes "once its in your blood you will taxi till you retire" NEVER LET THE BAD GUYS WIN

I don't know how long you have been doing the job

but, my experience tells me, and its rare some idiot gets through and get in my cab

got to watch out, its something taxi drivers get to know,it only takes seconds to think and watch the punter actions as they wait, don't want them t*ssers, firstly don't pick up everyone you see, weigh them up, watch how they walk or how they act, first impressions mean a lot,

The next thing is, make sure they the punters know who is boss, No Sh*t Sherlock is my motto and your out, you are history pal, next punter please

i,ve been a driver for 19 years now stinky and i think exactly the same as you buddy. It just boils my ..ss when i hear of some cab driver getting done in. I was well pleased to get passed my 2 bad experiences about 10 years ago,but i am still hear and chomping at bit.

[edited by admin] i cant spell proper

not only are cab driver getting done in whilst in the cab, only 2 nights ago a cab driver minding his own business, have a night off, few drinks, unwinding, was assaulted by some thugs only yards away from one of the ranks

he made head way to the cab rank after he was attacked in the street knowing his mates would be there, we came to his assistance, sat him down, he had his head split open by some mindless thugs, apparently by an iron bar, I assisted him along with other cabbies, the blood was pouring out of his head, I went through a box of tissues in seconds, I had to resort to paper roll in the end to mop the blood till the 999 lot appeared, I viewed his head wound and it was spilt wide open, this cabbie is now off work, b*st*rds

i am a thick [edited by admin] can anyone tell me how to print a quote before i send my own message

I think the CCTV privacy battle was lost many moons ago, and all of us are caught on camera many times a day. Even if we don't know it.

CCTV has two big pluses IMO, one it helps out drivers if they are accused of doing something, and it will catch the scum when they do something.

It also acts as a deterant. But I agree sometimes you get the odd [edited by admin] playing the fool in front of the camera.

But on balance I think they are the future.

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IDFIMH

Press the 'quote' icon and it's does it for you.

As long as you leave the beggining and end 'quote' sections in place, you can do what you like to the middle text.

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IDFIMH

Thanks mate,lets see if i done it right

Pete you are spot on right! but beware of the L.Os they view it as a prosecutable offence for failing to pick up a possible fare.

All I would say to any driver is; have your story ready e.g he looked a threat to my safety or I saw him misbehaving out in the street and felt that they would do the same in my vehicle etc. You will have to justify yourself.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

anyone recommend a make/model?

EVENING CHRONICLE (Newcastle, UK)

April 6, 2007 Friday

HEADLINE: Cabs may get security CCTV

By Peter Young, The Evening Chronicle

Cabs may be fitted with security cameras to help improve safety for drivers and passengers. The move follows concern about attacks and abuse of cabbies but leaders of the taxi trade say CCTV would also make passengers feel safer.

A private security company is offering to equip hackney carriages in Newcastle with the cameras free of charge. The company is seeking permission to use the screens for advertising which would cover the costs.

Members of Newcastle City Council regulatory committee have approved the idea in principle and officials are now looking at the details.

Cabbies have been pressing for CCTV in taxis across the North East following concerns over security. One Gateshead cabbie was held up at knife-point and drivers are regularly subjected to abuse, some of it racial.

Cabbies have been consulted and Chris Chandler, regional chairman of the National Taxi Association and director of Newcastle Owners Drivers' Association, believes cameras will help deter troublemakers.

"It's an idea we would support for reasons of driver and passenger safety," he said. "However, the downloading facility should be available only to the police and the council.

"It's something that's been talked about for a long time and we are 100% behind anything which improves the comfort and safety of drivers and passengers.

"The more troublesome elements may not be as troublesome if they know their actions are being recorded. It may help defuse situations before they happen." The CCTV proposals come from the Protector Group based at the Team Valley, Gateshead, and need council approval.

In a report to councillors, head of public health and environmental protection, Stephen Savage, says the plan is to install screens running adverts for local businesses which would finance the cost of the CCTV.

"The cameras record 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the footage is stored on digital hard drives," says Mr Savage.

"Customers are notified that CCTV is installed by stickers. The cameras can operate internally or externally. "In the event of a crime, the driver contacts the Protector Group who retrieve the footage and make it available to the police or the local authority."

Adverts run on LCD screens with an in-built DVD system and cannot be seen or heard by the driver to avoid any distractions.

Councillors backed the idea in principle but officers will look into issues about data protection, safeguards for the public and the type of advertising, before final approval is given.
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