Taxi Driver Online

Taxi Drivers Face £200 On-the-Spot Fine

25th July 2008

The council is set to crackdown on cabbies who do not display 'no smoking stickers' in their taxis — by slapping them with a £200 on the spot fine.

This hard line of action comes after the local authority received numerous complaints from members of the public who claimed to be passengers in cabs that were not displaying the appropriate no smoking signage.

Since the ban on smoking in a public place came into affect in March 2006, it is a requirement for all businesses to comply with the law by displaying statutory 'no smoking' stickers — and failing to do so is a breach of the legislation.

Until now East Dunbartonshire Council's enforcement officers have been talking to drivers, explaining the need for signs, telling them where to get the stickers and letting them off with a warning.

But that is set to change from Monday, September 1, with a £200 on the spot fine being issued to anyone who is in breach of the no smoking laws.
Eddie Short, secretary of the East Dunbartonshire Taxi Owners' Association (TOA), said: "The law is the law and we have made sure that all our cars have stickers on them.

"Milngavie and Bearsden, however, might be different as there are a lot of private hire cars in the area."

Mr Short, whose TOA operates a fleet of around 55 taxis licensed by East Dunbartonshire Council, does however admit that a few taxi drivers have been caught in the past for smoking in their taxis which is another breach of the law which forbids smoking in a public place.

He said: "Some of our drivers have been caught in the past for smoking in their taxis.

"I do, however, feel that it will be harsh if the council gives these fines when taxi drivers are not actually working.

"A lot of the drivers can use their cabs for private use and it would be unfair if they were fined in that instance.

"The signs are, however, an important aspect of the law and they should be displayed at all times to let members of the public know that they are in a public place and they are not able to smoke."

Over the next couple of weeks, the council will write to companies letting them know that the fixed penalties will be issued when a breach is observed.

Councillor John Dempsey, vice-convener of the development and environment committee, said: "With any new legislation there is a bedding-in period and we have been working with companies to help them comply rather than being heavy handed with financial penalties.

"However, there are persistent offenders who are not displaying the correct signs and it's confusing for their customers."

Councillor Dempsey added: "It is important that the public knows we are taking this issue seriously as they are telling us that they are confused by the inconsistency of signage.

"The smoking ban is well established now and the people of East Dunbartonshire expect us to enforce it with local businesses in a firm but fair way."

Any business person who needs signs can drop into Tom Johnston House in Kirkintilloch or Grange 2 in Milngavie to collect them free of charge or call 0141 578 8781 to have them sent out.

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

What a lot of



Shi*e


And the band played "believe it if you like".

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

The council should have sent them to all oporatores when the smoking ban started our did, or where stuck to the windscreens by the taxi inspector when the tariffs where changed

sick of replacing them.
people fiddle with them and the kids peel them of.

Here's a little story.

I was walking my dog in the local park, minding my own business. A fairly innocuous act, you would have thought. Three, Environmental Officers, cut across my path. My dog decides to take a sh*te, while I am on the phone. I am actually walking toward my dog while finishing my phone conversation. I have the bags in my pocket to clear up the mess. Before I even have a chance, one of the officers shouts, "are you going to pick that up mate"?

At this point, I go berserk. I asked him who the f*ck he is talking to? He replies he is an "Environmental Officer". I point my finger towards his face, telling him never to invade my space or my privacy with a stupid accusatory questions like that - he backs off.

I am pis*ed off big time.

I jump in my taxi and drive up to Edinburgh,only to find "Environmental Wardens", climbing out of a wheeliebins ... you just couldn't make it up .....

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

What kind of dog have you got.

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

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IDFIMH

Isn't he/ she a member of the Brighton Choir that lost the other night...

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!