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Taxi driver penalty points scheme focuses on wrong things

A black London taxi is parked near a red-brick building with arched windows in London. A man wearing a dark vest and trousers leans into the open passenger window, engaging in conversation with the driver. The background features other black taxis, pedestrians, and modern buildings.

Taxi drivers do so much more than simply take passengers from one place to another.

Safety is the most important factor, from the standard of their driving, to making sure they have the correct taxi insurance in place in the event of a claim.

As well as taking children to school under local authority contracts, they can find themselves looking after vulnerable passengers such as women on their own at night, and play a huge role in safeguarding by recognising the signs of exploitation and coercive behaviour.

Happy to help

On a daily basis, drivers get out of their taxis and PHVs to help passengers who are less mobile, as well as putting their shopping into the car and even helping them to their front door.

They know the best routes and shortcuts and get people to their destinations safely and comfortably, as well as London’s cabbies pointing out and explaining famous landmarks and points of interest, especially to tourists.

We have previously made the comparison with robotaxis that currently operate in parts of America. It simply gets people to their destination and relies on passengers to do everything – from getting themselves and their shopping or luggage in and out of the vehicles, whatever illness or disability they might have.

Service

It is the standard of service – along with a clean and safe cab or PHV – that matter to passengers, not whether the drivers are wearing shorts. And while drivers need to be comfortable to spend hours each day behind the wheel, they are usually smartly dressed in any case.

It is understandable that licensing authorities want to improve standards but there are better ways than penalising drivers for what they are wearing or not helping passengers with their bags.

Swindon is the latest authority to go down the points route, with changes being introduced from April 1 if approved by Swindon Borough Council next month.

The Swindon Advertiser reports that the council’s licensing committee has approved a new policy which would impose penalty points on drivers for a variety of infractions and offences, many of which are already covered by licensing regulations and traffic laws, such as smoking in their vehicle or using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Points

With points allocated per offence – whether it is abusive behaviour or breaching the dress code – the committee heard that when a driver reaches 12-points, their taxi badge could be revoked.

Licensing manager Jason Kirkwood said: “When a driver has accrued 12 points, unless the matter is of such seriousness that an officer decided to suspend their licence, then the officer will consider the best way forward.

“That may be a licensing review which would go to a licensing sub-committee or panel.

“If the matter serious, then we might prosecute a driver, not worrying about penalty points. But if it doesn’t meet that threshold, it’s for an officer to decide on the best way forward.

“And if a licence is revoked after a subcommittee review, that is appealable to a magistrates court within 21 days.”

Schemes such as this already operate in several authorities.

In Cumbria, Cumberland Council issued detailed guidance relating to drivers’ dress code, although it has agreed to look again at proposed changes to vehicle ages.

And last year, West Northamptonshire Council introduced measures which  saw drivers take to the streets in protest.

Licensing authorities are right to try to improve standards, especially when it comes to safety and service. But it seems wrong that a driver who has totted up dress code infringements and someone who is guilty of a more serious offence both face the same severe sanctions.

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