Fears over new cabbies' scheme
06 July 2010
A new penalty point system for cab drivers in Corby could mean they might not want to risk helping their passengers.
Margaret Markey, 66, who suffers from a heart condition and emphysema, fears the new system, which will be launched next month, will leave elderly and infirm passengers struggling.
All the offences and breaches included within the penalty point scheme are contraventions of current legislation or Corby Council byelaws.
They include a regulation banning Hackney carriage drivers from leaving their vehicle unattended and from August 1, when the system comes into force, drivers found doing so could be given five penalty points.
Mrs Markey, of Kingsthorpe Avenue, Corby, relies on taxis several times a week for visits to the town centre, Asda and to keep doctor's appointments and said she is grateful for the help given by cab drivers who carry her shopping to her front door.
She said: "This is terrible. Taxi drivers in Corby are very helpful but they won't want to leave their cabs to help us if it means they will be given penalty points. They won't want to risk it.
"I'm always glad of a bit of help and I'm sure many other passengers are grateful too, especially people in wheelchairs and young mums struggle with pushchairs. The new system will make life difficult for people but I don't blame the drivers."
Corby Council sent letters to cabbies and operators in the past week to notify them about the launch of the scheme which was agreed by the authority after a consultation process.
A spokesman for Corby Council said: "All of the breaches included in the scheme are current laws or byelaws that have been in place for many years in Corby and simply allow the council to issue points in a fair, consistent and proportionate way for offences witnessed. This could mean that for a minor breach drivers will receive points rather than go straight in front of the licensing panel or magistrates court.
"Point 10, leaving a Hackney carriage unattended, simply highlights to drivers that they should not leave their taxi irresponsibly, for instance with the keys in or the engine running. We do not see this leading to any adverse impact on the service given to the customer by drivers."
The penalty point system covers 30 existing regulations. Four breaches will result in 12 penalty points.
If a driver accumulates 12 or more penalty points in a 12-month period, they will be reported to the licensing panel and could have their driver's licence suspended.
Source; http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Fears ... 6402240.jp
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