Ministers have been accused of undermining the safety of female taxi passengers by relaxing many of the regulations governing private hire taxi drivers.
Warnings have been issued by women’s safety groups and the Labour party, claiming that the relaxation in the Deregulation Bill could make it easier for sexual predators to become taxi drivers. Part of the regulation could mean that people who do not hold a private-hire licence could be allowed to drive a licensed vehicle when it is ‘off duty’ and masquerade as legitimate taxi drivers. The regulations will also allow private-hire contractors to subcontract to an operator who is licensed in a different area. These and other measures could leave women feeling more vulnerable to attack from drivers pretending to be licensed drivers, it’s claimed.
The clauses do not apply to London, where private-hire regulations are managed by Transport for London. However, posing as a minicab driver has been cited as a common method used by sexual predators not only in London, but around the country too.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is particularly worried, saying: We are very concerned, both about the safety implications of some of these clauses and the way they were inserted into the Deregulation Bill so late into its passage through Parliament.
“We know from the number of sexual assaults in London each year that posing as a legitimate minicab driver is the preferred MO [modus operandi] of some particularly dangerous sexual predators. We are very concerned that moves to allow any individual to drive a licensed minicab when it is ‘off duty’ will provide greater opportunity for those intent on preying on women in this way.”
Greater concerns
However, it is not only the safety of female passengers that is a cause for concern, but for anyone who uses a private-hire taxi. The National Private Hire Association, some unions and the Local Government Association all have voiced their own reservations about the Bill. The LGA claims that: “Under the proposals, councils will also find it more difficult to revoke licences from reckless drivers who repeatedly put passengers at risk by driving dangerously.”
All of this is a concern for legitimate private-hire drivers and taxi drivers. Insurance premiums could also be affected as a result of the new Bill, as drivers with little or no experience jeopardise the reputation of the industry as a whole. The changes, following hot on the heels of the Uber scandal, mean that this is a difficult time for taxi drivers both in the Capital and around the country.