Taxi Driver Online

Thought this was a kind of small town version of the Sunderland stuff yesterday - in the grand scheme of things, not much to see here (Although Exmouth's population is 35,000, so it's not literally a 'small town').

But the licensing chair's comments are ridiculous. Not sure what's he's trying to say, precisely, but it makes it sound like the cars were unplated fake taxis. But there's nothing else to suggest the drivers were illegitimate, and just that they weren't identified.

So it's not clear if the chair is just ill-informed, or just trying to deflect attention from what happened. Or just trying to blow his and the council's trumpet


Exmouth taxi incidents leave women 'shaken'

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-ne ... en-8106463

East Devon District Council has issued a warning

Two women have been left shaken following unsettling taxi incidents in Exmouth, prompting a warning from East Devon District Council (EDDC). In the last month, the council's licensing department has received two reports from people using taxis in Exmouth.

The first incident took place back in December where a woman claimed she was subject to inappropriate conversation from a taxi driver. In January, a second woman - who was travelling alone - said she was subject to excessive and high speeds.

After voicing her concerns, the driver became 'rude and unprofessional'. Both taxis were taken from the taxi rank on the Strand. According to EDDC, no taxi plates or vehicle registration numbers were identified in the incidents, and there is currently no link between the reported cars or drivers.

Councillor Joe Whibley, chair of EDDC's Licensing and Enforcement Committee, said: "Our taxi drivers do a brilliant job providing a much needed service to the local community. Unlicensed drivers pose a threat to the safety of our residents - these recent incidents prove that. Even after a long night out, if you follow EDDC's advice, you'll get home safely. Check the taxi for EDDC licence plates, ask to see an ID badge and if in doubt, get out."

EDDC has launched an investigation into the incidents and has issued advice to people on how to stay safe.

An EDDC spokesperson said: "The vast majority of licensed drivers continue to operate professionally in the manner expected of their role and do not tolerate nor welcome incidents of this kind.

"Licensed taxis uphold an important role in our communities by providing safe travel for the public. The council has guidance to assist passengers to catch taxis safely."

How to tell if a taxi or private hire vehicle is licensed with EDDC:

Taxis:

• Can be flagged down and found at the ranks in East Devon.
• Can be pre-booked in advance with the taxi company.
• They have a yellow roof light with the word TAXI on it.
• They will have a blue and white plate fixed to the back of the vehicle with a licence number and vehicle registration.
• Should display a vehicle number and fare prices on their dashboard or somewhere inside the front of the vehicle.

Private hire vehicle:

• Must be pre-booked through a licensed operator.
• Will have a yellow plate fixed to the back of the vehicle with a licence number and vehicle registration.
• Are not permitted to display a roof sign and do not operate taxi meters.

Taxi and private hire drivers:

• Will be wearing an EDDC badge with their photo, badge number, name and expiry.
• All East Devon District Council licensed drivers undergo regular checks to make sure they are suitable to carry members of the public

How to be safe:

• Confirm the booking with the driver when the vehicle arrives.
• Note the licence number down from the plate on the back of the vehicle or the details inside the vehicle.
• Sit in the back behind the driver.
• Let a third party know details of the journey you are taking.

What have unlicensed drivers got to do with it? There's nothing in the article to suggest they were other than legitimately badged and plated drivers and vehicles.

By the same token, the recent events don't demonstrate that following the council's advice will avoid incidents like this

Had a look for the official press release in case it's been misreported, but the above press article effectively just reports it word for word:

https://eastdevon.gov.uk/news/2023/02/t ... l-warning/

Why dont they lok at the cctv cameras , the rank is in the center of the town.

If they came from a rank they weren't unlicensed.

If I was an unlicensed vehicle the very last place I would pick up would be a taxi rank. And if the vehicles were iffy then, sadly, a lot more would/could have happened rather than rude conversations and speeding cars.

But I also question as to why what the complainants have said is taken to be the whole truth. Guess what, punters don't always tell the truth.

I could say a councillor called me a nasty name, but I don't know which one did it. Does that, therefore, tar all councillors as rude?

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IDFIMH