Private hire drivers are dedicated
people that work very unsocial hours to
ensure a 24hour service is provided for
their respective communities throughout
the UK. They quite often face all kinds
of abuse and threatening behaviour and
physical assaults. In-order to preserve
their licenses they maintain self
control, discipline and suffer all kinds
problems in silence. The police have
little or no time in supporting drivers
when they require help. Very often they
are told to get help from their control
bases when they require assistance.
In the current climate taxi driving is
becoming more and more dangerous.
Specifically the private hire sector of
the taxi transport service. They are
particularly vulnerable to abuse,
threatening behaviour and attacks from
their customers, as there is little or
no protection for the drivers. Too often
the private hire driver is seen to be an
easy target for muggers and drunkards to
use abusive and threatening language.
Private
hire drivers take risks every time they
sit in their cars, start their engines
and pick up their next fare. It is time
that we acted and show our concern as a
community by finding more ways to help
keep them safe whilst they provide this
vital service to the community.