Taxi Driver Online

Leigh Reporter

April 9, 2008

Cabbies hand out condoms

COUPLES travellng home in Leigh taxis are to be given condoms by cabbies as part of the latest initiative to promote safe sex.

In a bid to halt the alarming growth in sexually transmitted diseases, especially Chlamydia, among young people Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust has launched the "Be Safe" scheme with Bluestar Taxis, the largest taxi company in the borough.

Men and women using taxis at night will be given condoms on request by the driver.

The condoms are in a special pack, which contain details of how to use them and also details of the local Chlamydia Screening Programme.

Glen Berry, Assistant Director of Health Development for the Primary Care Trust, said: "Safer sex is the best protection, that is always wear a condom.

"We know that people do not always carry condoms, or that some people have never tried them."

Peter Bailey, Company Director for Bluestar Taxis said: "I think that people are generally unaware of the statistics of sexually transmitted infections and that the North West has the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe.

"We are proud to be associated with this project."

The Chlamydia Screening Programme is a free testing programme aimed at 15-24 year olds, which started across the borough in October 2006.

Of the 4,714 young people tested between October 2006 and February 2008, 620 have been tested positive for Chlamydia.

That amounts to 13.15% - more than one in eight positive.
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