WINDOWS WASHOUT
DERBYSHIRE TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS ORDERED TO OBEY TINTED WINDOW RULES
A plea from South Derbyshire cabbies to change restrictions on tinted taxi windows has been rejected. According to the Derby Telegraph, more than 120 licensed South Derbyshire taxi and PH drivers had signed a petition opposing restrictions on tinted windows which they said left them “struggling” due to the cost of adaptations. The petition, led by iCars driver Qasim Ali, said there was also no confirmed evidence that tinted windows in taxis/PHVs were the cause of or hindered any major safeguarding incidents, such as child exploitation. On the evening of Wednesday 26 January, at a South Derbyshire District Council meeting, the call to change restrictions was rejected in an aim to prevent any additional risk to children and vulnerable adults. Emma McHugh, a licensing officer, said that 10 to 20 per cent of private hire vehicles which are tested by the council to see if they meet the tinted window policy, fail the test. The policy outlines that PHVs must have a windscreen that allows 75 per cent of light in and all other windows must allow 70 per cent. Ms McHugh said drivers from other licensed areas may drop off customers in South Derbyshire, so may be seen driving through, but they are not legally allowed to pick up passengers within the district. Cllr Andrew MacPherson told the meet- ing: “Part of the complaint is that the cars that suit requirements aren’t readily available. “After some research, there were quite a few as far as I noticed that would fit the criteria quite comfortably. I see no reason to revoke the policy.” Derbyshire Police said there are reports of some taxis in South Derbyshire being used to transport vulnerable chil- dren to places where they are abused. This comes three years after the police made the same claim in response to a
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petition from cabbies over the tinted taxi windows in Erewash in 2019. Meanwhile, the charity Safe and Sound, based in Derby, also says there is evidence of taxis being used to trans- port vulnerable young people who are being exploited.
Cllr Martin Fitzpatrick said: “I have a tremendous amount of sympathy and admiration for Mr Ali. “Whilst I do not agree with all of the points, he does make a good argument. “It is a shame that because of one or two evil people in the past, the industry is tarred with a bit of suspicion. “Even if there is a miniscule risk and a huge cost (of making vehicles fit restrictions), I would still fall on the side of miniscule risk. “I can’t see, when there are agencies that say there is evidence (of taxis being used to transport children to places where they are abused), that we should make changes to our policy.” Cllr Trevor Southerd, deputy leader of the authority, said: “I have a lot of empathy but we have to urge caution on the part of vulnerable people.” He asked that applicants seeking to become licensed private hire vehicle drivers be made abundantly aware of the tinted window policy before they purchase a vehicle.
Cllr MacPherson said: “It needs to be borne in mind that it (the restrictions) is also reassuring for passengers. “Drivers should be proud that they go the extra mile and are reassuring the public which puts so much trust in them to look after vulnerable friends and members of their family. “It is not about penalising them (drivers), especially when they have done so much for us all during the pandemic, driving us around.” Mr Ali claimed that sourcing a car suit- able to be used for a taxi can cost between £12,000 and £15,000 and often come with tinted windows as standard from the manufacturer.
He said finding cars that come with untinted windows was increasingly rare. Mr Ali said drivers were often having to spend between £350 and £1,000 to change the windows so that their vehicles meet the tint policy. Mmmm..... Qasin Ali is correct, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest tinted windows are a factor in any incidents. In fact, when all police forces in the UK were surveyed by way of FOI requests, they all confirmed that the presence of tinted windows was NOT considered to be a factor.
If this unreasonable and unnecessary condition is not scrapped, then the fail- ure rate of 10-20% is going to increase massively as vehicles are replaced with newer models, as the majority are simply not available with clear glass any more to improve passenger comfort, health and safety, and reduce emissions. Cllr Andrew MacPherson may have found second-hand vehicles, but he needs to remember the age limits, and look at new vehicle availability, at which point he will not find it difficult to verify the claim made, there are very few at all. We ran a two-month campaign on this very topic in July and August 2021 edi- tions of PHTM which clearly spelled out the many reasons why manufacturers make vehicles with rear tints as stan- dard, and the lack of any legal, or justifiable reasons to not allow standard, modern vehicles. It is of course perfectly legal for a pre booked vehicle to pick up their passen- gers, regardless of where that passenger may be located, which includes within the district. Since Derby is also looking at CCTV becoming mandatory soon, this undermines the need for such restrictions anyway, rendering it a pointless condition, regardless of cost, we would urge the committee to reconsider this decision. As for taxis being used for transport, erm, is that not exactly why they are licensed? - Ed.
FEBRUARY 2022
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