A local taxi firm is in discussions with Telford and Wrekin Council to install in-cab CCTV cameras.
Taxi firm Go Carz is to work with Telford & Wrekin Council to allow drivers, licensed by Telford & Wrekin Council, to install cameras in their private hire vehicles.
Go Carz (Telford) approached the Council over the installation of CCTV systems, allowing drivers to install CCTV, with a view to enhancing safety for both fare paying passengers and licensed drivers.
The company says that it will encourage drivers who are licensed with Telford & Wrekin Council to start the voluntary installation of the cameras.
New laws on taxi drivers
Telford & Wrekin Council is actively lobbying the Government to change the law to implement national standards for all licensed drivers and vehicles in England & Wales.
Go Carz say they will support the Council in its bid to force the government to change the law.
Cllr Richard Overton said; “We are delighted that our licensing team will be working with Go Carz on to encourage their drivers licensed by Telford & Wrekin to install CCTV in their vehicles and that we can together start to progress this action to reassure passengers. We hope that other operators will also work with us on this project.
“We will look at whether any changes are needed to our licensing policy and conditions in relation to CCTV.
He added that the Government also needs to act: “We are doing our part – the Government must now do theirs as we and many others have been asking them to do for the last three years to change the law to bring in national standards.”
A National Standard for taxi drivers
Cindy Wilday of Go Carz said “We have long believed a National Standard for taxi drivers is the way forward. In addition, the option to install CCTV for drivers is, in our belief, beneficial for both driver’s and passenger’s assurance and safety and we are working with all councils with whom we hold Operator’s Licenses to encourage them to allow this. We are pleased that Telford & Wrekin have welcomed this initiative.”
“This is a great opportunity to work more closely with the Council to help us provide greater reassurance for drivers and passengers. This will add to our safeguarding policies we already have in place.
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