Cabbies seem to be lacking in the smarts department.
They are bothered about their safety…they think it would be good to have security cameras in their cars…so they want the Government to make security cameras in taxis compulsory.
Or at least, some of them do.
But Transport Minister Steven Joyce – who ordered a report into the safety of taxi drivers after Christchurch driver Abdulrahman Ikhtiari was stabbed to death in December – has turned down the proposal.
He says the cost of about $1,000 to purchase and install cameras in every taxi would be a considerable and prohibitive cost in the current economic climate.
He points out that current legislation allows for the installation of safety screens, cameras and distress buttons in taxis. Using the gadgetry is a matter of choice for drivers and companies.
The Taxi Federation, which represents 65 of the country’s 187 companies, supported the move to make installation mandatory.
Its executive director, Tim Reddish, says security cameras in cabs in Australia have been proven to have a strong deterrent effect.
He regrets the minister has not had the political courage to “bite the bullet” at this stage, he says, because if there is another killing the same issue will arise and the minister will eventually be forced to introduce mandatory cameras.
There’s something screwy here.
If security cameras improve cabbies’ safety, and if cabbies are concerned about their personal safety, and if they are entitled to install and use the cameras under the present law – then why the hell don’t they do it?
A mandatory regime isn’t going to reduce the costs.
Actually, there’s not much support outside of the Taxi Federation for compulsory cameras in cabs
Thirty non-federation taxi organisations were surveyed by Ministry of Transport and NZ Transport Agency officials. Only five would support such a move.
The former employer of the murdered Christchurch taxi driver happens to be among those who support the Government’s rejection of compulsory security cameras for taxis.
United Taxis office manager Lynne Ellwood said installing cameras would be costly and may have made little difference in the Christchurch case.
If they want to injure someone or not pay their fare, it’s going to happen,” she said.
The 100-strong fleet of United Taxis, which is not a member of the federation, does not have alarm systems or cameras.
Ellwood said her company complied with rules on being in 24-hour contact with working drivers.
Joyce – by the way – isn’t indifferent to the safety issue
He has asked the NZ Transport Agency and the Department of Labour to work with the taxi industry to enhance the safety of taxi drivers and their passengers, as required by the law.
“The government’s focus will be on ensuring taxi companies have the necessary safety measures in place that they are required to by law – rather than adding another level of compliance,” says Mr Joyce.
“With the support of the Minister of Labour, I have asked that department to work with the taxi industry to ensure all operators understand their responsibilities in regard to driver safety, and to work with the industry to develop a Code of Practice to cover taxi driver safety.
“Taxi companies are required by law to provide a safe work place for all employees, including contractors, and we need to hold them to that.
“Other than those operating in small centres, they are also required by law to provide a 24-hour communication service with all working drivers but we know that this requirement is often breached.
“I have asked the NZ Transport Agency, which is responsible for policing this, to monitor closely and penalise offending companies.”
As Joyce says, the installation of these devices is both the choice and responsibility of taxi drivers and companies.
If we had cab drivers in Eketahuna, it’s odds on they would agree with him.
