Witney News - Personal safety tips for taxi drivers

Personal safety tips for taxi drivers

A new leaflet just published by West Oxfordshire District Council highlights risks facing local taxi and hire car drivers and offers tips on how to avoid the pitfalls.

Primarily targeted at less experienced taxi and private hire car drivers and people applying for a licence to drive one of these vehicles for the first time, the leaflet also serves to remind drivers who may have been plying for hire for years how to reduce the dangers of their profession.

Produced in collaboration with the Police, Crimestoppers and based on an idea from the Federation of Small Businesses, the “Driver's Safety Code” includes tips on appearance, staying alert, having emergency procedures in place and identifying crime suspects.

A leaflet aimed at passengers with tips on how to identify licensed vehicles and check they are bona fide before getting in has also been produced.

Cllr David Harvey Cabinet Member for Licensing says “Compared with some other areas West Oxfordshire is a very safe one with incidents of crime against drivers or their passengers thankfully rare.”

“But it is one of West Oxfordshire District Council’s top priorities to protect and enhance the District and maintain its low levels of crime. We can’t do that by resting on our laurels. These leaflets are part and parcel of our continuing drive to meet our objective.”

Taxi business owner Barry Wheatley who is also Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses in Oxfordshire says “The leaflets are a good example of how local businesses the Council and the Police can work together to promote safety in the community. They contain some good sensible tips for drivers that will not only help protect their safety but should assist them improve their customer handling skills as well.”

The leaflets for drivers are being sent to all taxi or private hire car operators licensed to trade in West Oxfordshire. The passenger leaflets will be widely distributed to the Council's outlets shops, pubs and restaurants, libraries, doctors' surgeries and similar premises throughout the District. Copies and more information can be requested by emailing community [email protected] or by phoning 01993 861636