...TERROR TIMES
VIOLENT ATTACK ON ELDERLY KIRKCALDY TAXI DRIVER WHO ASKED FOR HIS FARE!
PHTM was contacted recently by John Laidlaw of Treble Twenty Taxis Kirkcaldy. John said “My driver, Paul Dowson 64, was sent to pick up a male passenger on Halloween night. At the destination address, when Paul asked for the fare, the passenger in a drink and drug- fuelled frenzied attack grabbed him by the throat, pushed him back and rained a number of punches at his face and body, pummelling him like a punch
bag.” There was no reason for the horrific attack, it was just a brutal assault on a defence- less elderly driver. The police were called, they checked the firm’s dispatch system and arrested the vicious thug at
the destination address. He is now out on bail. Let’s hope at court he is given the max- imum sentence he deserves. Paul was taken to hospital and dis- charged the next day. Recovery has taken some time but thankfully there was no permanent damage and brave Paul, with the support of Treble Twenty and his work colleagues, is now back driving his cab again.
NATIONAL LOCKDOWN – SAFETY FIRST
ALL members of our trade, both hack- ney and private hire drivers CAN continue to work if you want to. How- ever, in order to protect you and your families and passengers we strongly advise all drivers to strictly adhere to the following safety guidelines below:
DRIVER FACE COVERINGS: It is not compulsory but our advice is to wear a face covering when you have passengers in your vehicle
PASSENGER FACE COVERINGS: • Compulsory for passengers who are NOT exempt
• Although the responsibility lies with passengers to wear a mask, drivers can only ask or remind, they CAN- NOT insist
• If the driver has asked, and the pas- senger refuses, then the passenger will be liable for the fine
• Drivers can refuse to take passen- gers who do not wear a face covering if they are NOT exempt
FACE COVERING EXEMPTION: • Drivers currently have no legal right to “insist” or ask a passenger to see proof of exemption
• Please be aware that if a passenger states they are exempt you CAN- NOT refuse the fare • Drivers CAN be prosecuted under the Equalities Act for refusing a pas- senger who is exempt
TEMPORARY SAFETY SCREENS: If your council allows temporary safe- ty screens please install one. However, we are aware that there are still a few local authorities that are refusing to allow screens to be installed - and as such are in direct breach of Article 2 of the ECHR “right to life” The right to life cannot be overruled by any authority, not even the govern- ment, which renders such refusals a criminal offence. This MUST be resolved as a matter of urgency!! Enough is enough, this is now even more of a health and safety issue!
VERY IMPORTANT: 1. Be extra vigilant with your hand washing/hand sanitiser
2. Wipe down your vehicle inside and out after every job
3. Take contactless card payments 4. Try not to handle cash 5. Do not let passengers sit in the front seat
6. Keep your window open a little 7. Wash your clothes after every shift
SELF ISOLATION: You must self isolate if told to do so - if you continue to work, you could be fined and have your licence revoked.
STAY ALERT: Sadly, we are receiving increased reports of violent attacks on our drivers – please stay alert and be careful. Whilst we appreciate work is in short supply, If you are in any doubt please refuse the fare...
PLEASE STAY SAFE
JANUARY 2021
67
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