Taxi Driver Online

The chairman of Dundee Taxi Association today called for drivers in the city to take a look at their personal security (writes Debbie Kerr).
His comments come after a woman taxi driver was left extremely shaken on Saturday night when a man — who witnesses believed was carrying a weapon — attempted to force entry to her car.
He approached the cab about 8.15 pm on Lochee Road. The burgundy Ford Mondeo was sitting at the traffic lights at the junction with Dudhope Terrace when the man advanced towards it with what’s believed to be a knife.

He then tried to open the doors but was thwarted by the driver, who managed to drive away.

Graeme Stephen, DTA chairman, said drivers can employ some of their own security devices.

He said, “All of the drivers can fit CCTV cameras in the car that films not only the front but also the sides of the car, so anybody doing anything like that can be caught.

“Drivers have to pay for that themselves, though, and they cost around £500 to install.”

He added, “The majority of taxis now have locking systems where the driver can lock the doors from the inside, so if somebody tries to get in, they will not be able to.

“I would say all drivers should lock the doors once their passengers are in.”

Mr Stephen added, “Drivers are just doing their jobs and there are times it is not an easy one.

“These people wouldn’t like it if we burst into their work demanding to get in. I would also like to see courts acting more severely with these people.”

The man is described as between 20 and 30, about 5 ft 8, with ear-length black hair.

He was wearing a blue or navy zip-fronted jacket, which had a small white motif over the front.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0300 111 2222, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or any police officer.

Maybe the Dundee's licence authority should make CCTV compulsory across the public/private hire fleet.

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Watch out curiosity killed the cat

Sensible idea but who will pay for it

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Scrap btec that will easy cover cost best thing i ever did was had cctv fitted

Like the btec the free cctv would be no use to you either

BTW the Btec/VRQ only costs £150.00 anyway so there may be a little shortfall

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

CCTV wouldn't of stopped the bloke from robbing the taxi driver. Baseball Bat maybe? Gun definately.

cctv would be very useful in one of my spare cars
Btec costs a lot more when you consider all the tme lost off work

In the 6 years of cctv in my cars theres been much less aggro

Why would you need it in a spare car, that is just being greedy

On one hand cabbies complain it's quiet and then on the other hand they complain cos they can't earn the wedge they like us to think they are earning cos they are in a classroom. They really ought to make their minds up. Regardless of that drivers don't work 24/7 and I'm sure they have 5 hours to spare for a few weeks

Anyway this is a discussion about CCTV and not Qualifications there is already a thread for that

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Would save the bother of swappin over
Never quiet down ere
Good way of spendin money on summit wot makes sense

Well if it's never quiet down there you can afford a few hours off

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

The drivers i have spoken to have all noticed a change in there passengers behaviour.Most of the cars have signs on the doors to let the public known that there being filmed with sound.They say this also stops runners.

Got 3 drivers out i work when one dont
which ant often

I's only the usual Baader Meinhof crew from th rank of evil/dads army in Dundee that have CCTV in their cabs subsidised by the council.......the same people that think this is safer than having a screen (purpose-built across the board) in their cab........anything to get to retirement without having to move the city forward
And Stephens represents about 20 operators as far a i'm concerned.
Who wants to look at what he's got to say !
This is the man that wanted Jesus sandles for all=t*** !!!!!

I am a member of the DTA and think Mr Stephens does a thankless job. Also people seem to have alot to say on the situation in Dundee but very few take any action to tackle the problems.Mr Stephens has continuously put his head on the block trying to get the council to deal with the problems with private hire .Also the trade were all behind the DTA and the Tand G when they were trying to keep 203020 from getting there yellow plates .If we had more people like him in the trade we might not be in the position we are in now.

The DTA AGM is at the end of this month to which all new members are welcome.