ARE WE REALLY SAFE?
Article by Azeem Hanif Chairman
Independent Transport Workers Alliance (ITWA)
Public safety
Sadly, the reputation of our trade has been scarred by the vile actions of a pro-rata small number of rogue drivers involved in drugs, sexual assaults and grooming scandals. Perceptions of safety are often shaped by the media and second-hand accounts which can outweigh personal experience. It is therefore essential that our industry is seen to be taking measures to address the concerns of the travelling public so that lone woman, children, vulnerable, disabled and elderly members of our communities are reassured and feel happy and safe to use our services.
Following the DfT’s recent recommendations, the licensing process has correctly become more thorough, resulting in stricter local licensing conditions, man- datory safeguarding courses and stringent driver background checks
Driver safety
However taxi/ private hire drivers have our own safety concerns. We frequently encounter strangers, picking them up from the street, taxi ranks, pubs, clubs and even remote locations. Operating largely in the night- time economy exposes us to intoxicated individuals, as well those under the influence of illegal substances, and despite the trend towards cashless transactions, most drivers still carry an amount of cash, all of which increase our risk of violent attack, robbery, abuse and even hate crimes.
The government provides guidance on how licensed drivers can stay safe (
https://shorturl.at/lyl65) but doesn’t address all our concerns, with the safety of the travelling public always taking priority.
Major safety concerns with ride sharing
One major safety issue for both passengers and drivers that needs to be addressed or even eliminated is the recent return of ride-sharing services. Uber Pool was originally launched in 2015, but the option was only
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available in the UK to passengers in London, and was cancelled during the pandemic in 2020 to reduce the spread of covid.
Uber has now reactivated the programme, but rebranded it with a new name, UberX Share, which has been available in all major UK cities, except London, since the end of June 2025 (with expected rollout in the capital by the end of the year). The service, piloted in Bristol since November 2024, allows a maximum of two passengers, who are travelling in the same direction to share rides at a discount of up to 20%.
Whilst the financial appeal of sharing a ride with a stranger may seem attractive, it raises critical issues for both passengers and drivers. Unlike other modes of transport, such as planes or trains, where space and staff presence provide a sense of security, ride-sharing in a confined vehicle with two strangers sharing the back seat, can potentially escalate into an unnecessary risky scenario.
including detailed DVLA,
enhanced DBS and extended immigration reports, before a taxi or private hire driver licence is granted.
The dynamics of ride-sharing present unique challenges, especially for lone females, young individuals or vulnerable passengers, who may find themselves in a compromising position. Intoxication further complicates matters, increasing the likelihood of conflicts that not only endanger passengers; but also put drivers who do not have adequate training in de-escalation techniques or experience in handling volatile situations, at great risk.
Industry stakeholders therefore have a responsibility to advocate for the DfT and licensing authorities to address these concerns and take measures to prioritise passenger and driver safety by setting minimum standards to regulate ride-sharing practices and so create a safer and more secure environment for all concerned. Ride-share operators must also be held accountable to prioritise safety over profits.
Conclusion
There is a pressing need for consistency across all licensing authorities in the UK; by establishing uniform standards and protocols, we can enhance safety measures and instil confidence in everyone involved. If achieving consistency proves challenging, it is crucial for at least one licensing authority to take proactive steps to set a high standard that others will be compelled to follow.
By taking action to tackle these concerns we can restore trust once again in our industry.
OCTOBER 2025 PHTM
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