Taxi Driver Online

Liverpool Daily Echo

August 28, 2007, Tuesday

THE PAPAR-TAXI;

City cabs will be fitted with digi cameras to help protect drivers

DIGITAL cameras are being installed in Liverpool taxis to catch violent passengers.

And images recorded will help cabbies being targeted in the courts by people fraudulently claiming they were injured by bad driving.

More than half of the city's fleet of 1,470 black cabs will be kitted out with the latest technology, which will also snare people who try to get away without paying.

The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is paying for the digital cameras.

Currently, only 10% of hackneys have basic equipment, but that figure will rise rapidly during Capital of Culture year.

The move has been prompted by a wave of counterfeit claims by customers trying to scam drivers.

The problem became so bad that drivers were faced with annual insurance premiums of up to pounds 5,000.

Some revellers have tried to sue cabbies after they have fallen off seats, claiming erratic driving had caused their injuries.

In another incident, one passenger injured himself by falling over after trying to punch a driver.

But, when police arrived, they arrested the cabbie until the camera footage revealed the truth.

Tommy Mclntyre, a taxi driver and trade union representative from the TGWIJ, said he welcomed the move.

He said: "We had a driver who was hit by a lad in a car outside Lime Street station, who pretended it was the cabbie's fault, but the camera proved otherwise.

"Some customers are very deliberate as they take the driver's badge number, the registration number and then claim they have been injured by the driving."

The footage covers several areas, with some lenses pointing inside the cab, and others facing out.

Taxi bosses said signs around the cab would warn customers cameras were in operation.

Peter Jones, from the Chamber of Commerce's business crime direct team, said: "We are increasing these grants to provide reassurance and safety."
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I have had this falling off the seat lark, Umm as you are over 14 years old you are deemed to know that you should have put your seat belt on. Are you sure drive? Yes - Umm no injuries all of a sudden.

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

Unfortunately John when they take you to court they usually win, admittedly the court will direct that 25 per cent of the claim be discounted due to the fact they were not wearing a seatbelt..... they usually win...... except when you have a camera.... best thing I ever bought......

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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!

Scousers wouldn't do anything like that.

Mr T is right, in the majority of cases injury through negligent driving is enough to secure a result. Any damages will be reduced accordingly if the passenger contributed to the injury by not wearing a seat belt.

The point is, don't assume that just because the passenger is not wearing a seat belt that the duty of care to drive carefully is discharged.

Regards

JD

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