A female cabbie on her way to do a school run has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
According to the Winsford Guardian, a police officer spotted a car driving erratically in Winsford at around 8.50am on Thursday, December 14.
Posting on social media, a Winsford Police spokesman said: “A police officer on the way to work noticed a white Kia hitting kerbs and being driven at approximately 10mph.
“It was noted that the Kia was displaying taxi registration places.”
The officer called 999 to report concerns about the manner of the driving and followed the vehicle until it came to a stop outside a house in Winsford.
When further officers arrived, they breathalysed the driver who was found to be almost four times the legal limit at the roadside.
“Uniformed officers arrived and conducted a roadside breath test with the female driver, who subsequently blew 130 at the roadside," the post continued.
“The legal limit being 35.
“She was arrested and we gave her a free lift to Middlewich custody.”
The woman has since been charged and will appear at Crewe Magistrates Court on January 11 next year.
North Yorkshire Police has taken part in a partner operation to carry out a series of checks on taxis and private hire vehicles in York to ensure they are keeping passengers safe in the run up to Christmas.
Officers from partners including City of York Council, Leeds City Council, North Yorkshire Police and the DVSA supported the operations.
On Wednesday night, 6 December, officers from the city centre policing team worked with the British Transport Police, Special Constabulary and roads policing officers on “Operation Edge.”
Officers patrolled the city centre in marked police vehicles looking for taxis or PHVs that didn’t have passengers on board. The vehicle was then requested to stop and follow the police vehicle to a specialist bay.
Checks were then made by the police and partner agencies to ensure that the vehicle was legal to be on the road and mechanically safe.
The operation identified several vehicles which were found to have various faults of which prompt action was taken.
In total, 22 vehicles were inspected, from the 22:
• Five vehicles were suspended for defects of a significant nature.
• Two vehicles were issued with a rectification notice which is issued for minor defects.
• Fifteen vehicles were satisfactory.
PC Dave Ellison from North Yorkshire Police commented: “I am grateful to the partner agencies who assisted us with this operation which enabled us to engage with taxi drivers in the City of York.
“We are currently running our Christmas Drink and Drug Drive campaign and are encouraging members of the public to leave their car at home and use a taxi.
“Thankfully, most people act on this sensible advice so we want to do all we can to ensure that taxis and private hire vehicles in the city are operating safely and legally.
“I ask that all taxi drivers ensure that their vehicles are maintained, remain fit for purpose and are road legal”.
Transport for London has announced that black cab fares will be increasing in London during the festive period.
The Newham Recorder reports that it comes as TfL confirmed as part of the Christmas services timetable that a price hike for the taxis would be put in place.
Black cabs will be adding an extra £4 per journey to all passengers.
The price hikes in London will start on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 at 8pm and will last until 6am on December 27.
The charges will then return at 8pm, New Year's Eve, December 31 until 6am January 2.
You can find out more information on taxi fares via the TfL website.
Source: https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/23973254.london-black-cabs-hike-passenger-fares-christmas/
The scheme that oversees taxi queues in Ipswich town centre and helps more than 3,500 people every month during nights out is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
According to the Ipswich Star, the taxi marshal scheme was launched to prevent disorder and violence and help queues flow as quickly as possible.
Taxi marshals coordinate taxi queues at the Old Cattle Market bus station every Friday and Saturday from 11.30pm until 4.30am.
The marshals are there to help people who have been out on the town arrange a taxi home.
The scheme is jointly funded by Ipswich Central, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, and Ipswich Borough Council.
Mr Passmore said: “It is extremely important that Ipswich has a reputation as a safe and welcoming town where everyone can come to enjoy a drink, a meal or a trip to the cinema and theatre.
“Making our town centres safe and prosperous encourages people to visit and spend time and money enjoying what Suffolk has to offer.
"I am happy to financially support this Taxi Marshal initiative. I can see tangible benefits for the constabulary and for the people in Ipswich on weekend evenings.
“People will get home quicker and more safely, and fewer people hanging around when the pubs and clubs close will reduce potential disorder, which in turn will reduce the pressure on the police. Everyone wins.”
Terry Baxter, chairman of Ipswich Central, added: “It is of paramount importance that people feel safe whilst out in the evening.
“Enabling people to find a taxi easily and safely at the end of their evening out is as important as the evening itself. We are delighted to continue to play a role in the Taxi Marshal scheme.”
Borough councillor John Cook said that for the ten years marshals have helped businesses in Ipswich town centre support a safe night-time economy by being there to help Ipswich residents and visitors on a night out.
He added: “The marshals are a great example of a successful partnership working between Ipswich Central, Suffolk Police and Ipswich Borough Council.
"Huge thanks to Stage Security for ensuring that residents and visitors are marshalled safely from the town into taxis at the end of the evening to get home safely.”
Source: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/23985090.taxi-marshal-scheme-ipswich-celebrates-10th-anniversary/
Taxi users around Breckland will soon be greeted with car stickers warning them racial discrimination, violence and other forms of abuse will not be tolerated.
The Eastern Daily Press reports that Breckland Council has joined PHTM's national campaign to stop abuse against taxi drivers called 'No Excuse for Abuse', and will soon be distributing the stickers to local cabbies.
Councillor Helen Crane, Breckland’s executive member, said: "The 'No Excuse for Abuse' campaign is a crucial step in safeguarding our licensed drivers from unwarranted aggression and disrespect.
“While most passengers are respectful, there exists a very small minority who engage in abusive behaviour, especially whilst under the influence of alcohol.
“This behaviour is utterly unacceptable and will not be tolerated."
The job of a taxi driver is considered to be more challenging during the festive period because there are many more passengers in town centres and some are adversely affected by alcohol.
Ms Crane said taxi drivers deserved to be treated with respect.
She said: "Drivers have been strongly encouraged to report any incidents of violence, verbal abuse, racial discrimination, or vehicle damage to the police.
“It is the fundamental right of every individual to feel secure in their workplace, and our drivers deserve nothing less."
PHTM's campaign is focused on preventing any kind of violence, verbal abuse, racial discrimination, or damage directed towards taxi drivers.
Passengers are also advised to ensure they have the means to pay their fare before travelling, and to be aware of the fare on the meter and make the driver aware if it is approaching the limit of their financial resources.
For more information, visit Breckland Council's 'No Excuse for Abuse' campaign webpage at www.breckland.gov.uk.
NOTE: If any other councils wish to join the campaign and obtain 'No Excuse for Abuse' stickers, please contact PHTM on 0161 688 7777.
Source: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23987173.breckland-joins-national-campaign-abuse-taxi-drivers/
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