Taxi Driver Online

Taxi-drivers face court

source: http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/News/newsdetail_3322.asp

Twenty taxi-drivers are being prosecuted following an operation to crackdown on private hire vehicles which carry passengers without pre-booking.

Operation Silvertongue, an initiative involving Merseyside Police's Roadsafe teams and City Council licensing enforcement officers, has been taking place earlier over the last four weeks.

Ten vehicles were seized and impounded. Investigations are continuing about the others.

The drivers face prosecution for plying for hire and associated insurance offences. They are expected to appear before city magistrates in the New Year.

Cllr Malcolm Kelly, Chair of the City Council's Licensing Committee, said: "The legislation regarding private hire vehicles is very clear- they can only carry passengers if they have booked them in advance.

"They are not insured to pick up passengers without a booking. At this time of the year, there is a temptation for people to use any type of taxi if they are prepared to carry them.

"However, they can be placing themselves in danger if they do so. Passengers should always ensure they only use properly licensed taxis - ether by using a Hackney carriage or by pre-booking a private hire vehicle.

"We will continue to work with the police on this type of operation. They will be taking place over the Christmas period as we are determined to ensure the public's safety at this time of year."

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Not just at this time of year any time of year



Here they go again about it being dangerous. It's illegal but to say it's dangerous IMO is exaggerating it a little bit. I would say it is dangerous to get into any vehicle that isn't licenced, perhaps that's what they mean.

Anyway it should send a clear message to any of the PH that think they won't get caught

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

A article in the Dundee press has been questioned by taxi drivers who are not with an office it read
“If you are out in a pub or club, arrange a meeting point if you get lost so that you can all meet up. Always ring a reputable taxi company and do not walk off and try to stop a taxi in the street. Ideally, make sure you and your friends go home together.”

If they are going to give out theses messages they should make sure they differentiate between private hire and hacks.Most my work comes from being fagged down,things are bad enough without articles like this.

In my view the type of punter that flags down a cab doesn't give a monkeys what they flag down, and will take no notice of any press release.

Not sure if that makes things better or worse for you.

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IDFIMH

I agree but it annoys me when people say things without thinking about the consequence's.I think they meant ph but up here people do not know the difference between ph and hacks and messages like this do not help.

Part of the problem this country has, in relation to enforcement, is that those doing the enforcing haven't a great clue as to how it's done.

So when you have a council like Liverpool regularly prosecuting, it should give confidence to others to follow suit. Maybe.

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IDFIMH