Move To Protect Cabbies
September 3, 2009
Private hire cabs are to be fitted with screens after a spate of attacks on drivers.
Cabbies have been lobbying for permission to install the clear plastic partitions.
A survey last year found that a quarter of Manchester's 2,300 private hire drivers had been assaulted by passengers.
Licensing chiefs in Manchester have agreed to let drivers and cab owners install screens - already a standard feature in most black cabs.
Officials said the screens may make lone female passengers feel more comfortable although recognised some passengers could feel intimidated.
Under the proposals, drivers must apply for permission when they renew their licences and use barriers manufactured to specific safety standards.
Tony Morris, a manager at Burnage-based Kingsway Taxis, welcomed the move. He said: "Anything which gives drivers more ways of protecting themselves is a good thing.
"Assaults on our drivers do happen. Any firm will tell you that. Normally it is young lads who have had a drink or want the money. We have had drivers parked up when someone has dragged them out but in 90 per cent of cases it is a passenger in the car.
"If they put their arm around you, then there's nothing you can do."
Worryingly, licensing officials who investigated the issue found a number of black cab owners had replaced their plastic screens with metal grilles.
Although not illegal, the Public Carriage Office says the metal barriers are more likely to cause injuries to passengers in a crash.
Town hall bosses are also promising a crackdown on stretch limos which are brought into Manchester centre for stag and hen parties.
Police spot checks earlier this year revealed many of the rented vehicles were being driven illegally.
During three separate inspections in May, six out of 21 limo drivers were found to have no licence or insurance.
Source; ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk
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