Extra safety measures are being implemented over the festive season
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is warning residents about the dangers of using ‘bogus taxi drivers’ this festive season. The council said its licensing team is taking action to help keep people safe.
Over Christmas and New Year, the council’s licensing team sees an increase in reports of bogus vehicles purporting to be lawful taxi services. These unlicensed drivers or vehicles have not been vetted or checked and are often illegally offered through social media, the council explained.
Residents are therefore being urged to plan ahead and only use legally licensed taxis. All taxi users are being urged to make sure their taxi is a licensed service or private hire car before they set off.
All East Riding licensed vehicles are now fitted with new and updated CCTV systems, covering all the internal of the vehicle and a forward fitting dashcam to promote public safety. The new systems have an audio recording facility which can be activated by passengers, or the driver, should any party feel at risk.
All licensed drivers will have a driver’s identity badge issued by the council. This should always be prominently displayed.
The council’s licensing team will also be providing visible taxi marshals who will be working to ensure those celebrating Christmas and New Year get home safely. The marshals will operate in Beverley Saturday Market on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December from 8pm until 3am, and New Years Eve from 10pm until 3am.
A spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “Residents who have not pre-booked their journey home from anywhere in the East Riding should be aware that any vehicle they flag down or approach for immediate hire must be an East Riding licensed Hackney Carriage. Vehicles from outside the East Riding cannot lawfully collect customers for immediate hire, and doing this may invalidate their insurance and put customers at risk.
“Only Hackney Carriage cabs can be hailed in the street or on a taxi rank and they should carry a plate on the back of the vehicle. East Riding licensed vehicles display white oval door stickers and have a top light saying “Taxi.”
“Private hire vehicles must always be booked in advance and display a plate on the back of the vehicle. East Riding licensed vehicles have yellow oval stickers on the front passenger doors saying “pre-booked” only.”
Councillor Lyn Healing, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for communities and public protection said “At this time of year, we often see a rise in unlicensed taxi activity, so it’s crucial to take extra steps to stay safe. We urge everyone to only use trusted, licensed taxis and to report any concerns directly to the council’s licensing team.” Anyone with concerns about unlicensed taxis should contact the council’s licensing teamtaxi.hub@eastriding.gov.uk.
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