Taxi Driver Online

Sting operation catches illegal private hire taxis

Private hire taxi firms are continuing to pick up illegal fares in Northampton town centre, with seven drivers being caught in an undercover sting in just one night.

Although it is illegal for private firms to pick up people who have not already pre-booked, Joe Matthews, chairman of the Northampton Hackney Carriage Association, said it was common for private hire firms to stop at the side of the road for fares.

He said: "This sting operation is long overdue. We see this happen all the time on Friday and Saturday nights, when private firms just go up and down The Drapery and Bridge Street and get flagged down, right in front of us.

"Not only is it taking our business away, but as soon as someone gets in one of these cars their insurance is invalidated, so if there is an accident they will not be covered.

"It's not just the drivers who should be punished, but the company operators who allow it to go on. "Some of the newer drivers might not know that it's wrong, but ignorance is no defence."

But Martin Kean, secretary of the Northampton Private Hire Association, said there were very few private hire firms willing to be flagged down by potential customers.

He said: "The advice I would give to companies that routinely do this is don't. It's illegal and you will get caught. "But I don't think there are a lot of private hire drivers or operators
that do it.

"This is more of a problem for hackney cab firms, because they will be missing out on legitimate fares. "The sting is good news, because it should cut down on the problem."

Councillor Brian Hoare, cabinet member for performance, warned that drivers who get caught would be brought before magistrates and fined.

He said: "The safety and protection of the public is paramount. "Not only are these private hire drivers putting themselves at risk, but also their passengers.

"These checks will continue, and I would advise people to either book a private hire vehicle through a company, or use one of the town's many black cabs."

Northamptonshire Police's licensing officer Pc Dave Bryan said: "Flagging in Northampton has been identified as an issue and Northamptonshire Police will always look to assist the borough council and other agencies in dealing with this matter."

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IDFIMH

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IDFIMH

Not quite so as Sussex pointed out.

A P/H driver might not be insured for public hire but that does not mean their insurance is invalid for the purpose of accidents.

Regards

JD

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There might be a problem though in the event of personal injury claims as a result of the accident


That apart it is very common practise in many towns and cities for PH drivers (and sometimes hackney) to approach passengers and try to pinch other peoples fares or pick up fares heading towards a taxi rank ! If an operation of that kind was carried out in every major town and city on a saturday night the results might well be quite shocking

But edders ................ its been suggested that a more worthwhile activity is more regular testing instead of these "stings" which only catch the people who are working at the time.

I say, more "stings" and those found to be acting outside the relavent legislation should have their licenses revoked.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

Or death by lethal injection?

CC

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

So what is the precise legal position as regards insurance if a PH picks up without a booking?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

The legal position is that the occupants are insured but the driver commits an offence for committing the act for which he is not insured, namely public hire or reward.

According to case law.

Regards

JD

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http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6593

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Would this also apply to a hack illegally plying for hire in an other area?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Such a case has never been before the courts but I suspect it might.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Why not have both?

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IDFIMH

Are you sure JD....what about the DPP vs. Com Cabs case?

CC

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

Well what about it?

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Naa forget it JD.......we'll only start to argue.

CC

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