IN THE NEWS
TRADE LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT: STANDING ROOM ONLY
It was standing room only as members of Unite, GMB, RMT, numerous Associa- tions and user groups descended on the cap- ital on Tuesday, 2nd July 2013 to lobby MPs to oppose the govern- ment’s consideration of the Law Commission’s review of national industry legislation - which for the first time includes London. In 2010 the Govern- ment
Transport Select Com- mittee
cross-party held
two
inquiries taking oral and written evidence from a large number of trade representatives, local
authorities,
licensing institutions and user groups. This resulted in 14 recom- mendations
being
made, one of which was not to hand the review over to the Law Commission, but to engage in consultation with the trade itself through a working party. Those who were fortu- nate enough to find a space in the committee room last month heard numerous MPs, includ- ing
the Shadow
Minister for Transport, and the Chair of the Transport Select Com- mittee, in fact 27 in all, and speakers in sup- port of the campaign addressing issues such as passenger safety and disability services. The point was made that these would be seriously affected if the proposed recommen- dations were allowed
to become legislation: ie. operators no longer being restricted to using drivers in one area (“baton passing” - this
was also
addressed by the chair of the London Taxi Drivers’ Club). It was submitted that this would pose numer- ous nightmare scen- arios within licensing authorities in the event of complaints being made, as they would be faced with having to trace a driver’s badge or vehicle plate number throughout over 300 authorities. Anyone who wishes to pursue these particular concerns can contact Unite Taxi, 5 Bute Street, Liverpool L5 3LA,
0151 7522/7655.
GRIMSBY DRIVER CALLS FOR A CHANGE IN LAW TO PROTECT CHILDREN
A taxi driver is calling for a change in the law to ensure safety for children. David Whyte, of Grims- by, who has been a taxi driver for 25 years, faced a fine and points for carrying a child who was sharing a seat belt with their mother. According to the Grimsby Telegraph, the charges against him have now been dropped after he high- lighted an anomaly in the law. On the one hand, North
East Lin-
colnshire Council rules state all children must be strapped in with a seat belt restraint. But police say children under the age of three years cannot use a standard seat belt, and must be restrained in proper child seats. Taxi drivers, however, are exempt and regula- tions state that where they are not available, a taxi may carry a young
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child unrestrained by a seat belt - but did not have to do so. The confusion arose when Mr Whyte picked up a fare in Grimsby, last July 28. The family had a two-year-old child who sat on the mother’s knee and both were restrained by the same seat belt. Mr Whyte was stopped by a police officer who deemed it to carry the risk of causing danger to those in the car and others. At court, District Judge Daniel Curtis said: “It seems to me if you comply with what the law says it is more dangerous than a child being restrained.” He added that Mr Whyte had been “doing his best” given the situation. Later Mr Whyte said: “Most people would have accepted the £60 fine and the points on their licence, but decided to challenge it
I
because the law is not clear. It needs chang- ing.” Mmmm… This is in- deed a grey area. It would appear, judging by the Statutory Instru- ment issued in 2006 that updated the 1993 seat belt Regulations, that children under three years old may travel unrestrained in the back (only the back) of licensed taxis and PHVs if there is no child booster seat; and licensed drivers are not obliged to carry such seats. So Mr Whyte was penalised for doing what he thought was correct. No wonder there is confusion, when as Mr Whyte points out, different police officers are giv- ing different drivers conflicting directions. If the DfT can provide any clarity on this issue - and they have been asked - we will pass on the information. - Ed.
PHTM AUGUST 2013 207
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