Taxis must stop recording passengers (From Daily Echo)

Absolutely right but taxi drivers should also be able to switch the lot off when the car is in their own private use.

Risk-averse Southampton; when will you learn? Getting better legal advice would be a start!

Can we have CCTV to record all the taxis that don't stop at red lights and the taxi drivers that seem to have no understanding of traffic laws?

The Phantomerer wrote:
Can we have CCTV to record all the taxis that don't stop at red lights and the taxi drivers that seem to have no understanding of traffic laws?

Ask your local MP.

sotonwinch09 wrote:

The Phantomerer wrote:
Can we have CCTV to record all the taxis that don't stop at red lights and the taxi drivers that seem to have no understanding of traffic laws?

Ask your local MP.

I'll add to that, to the fair few blimming taxi drivers i have had that seems to think that reading a catalogue or magazine whilst driving me need to be caught. Tellling them also doesn't help.

I wonder who will foot the bill for modifying all the existing systems that have already been fitted, taxpayer?

Let's face it the conversations are going to go along the lines of...

'Been busy mate?'
'What time did you start?'
'What time you're knocking off?'

The Phantomerer wrote:
Can we have CCTV to record all the taxis that don't stop at red lights and the taxi drivers that seem to have no understanding of traffic laws?

This is about the privacy of the passengers, not about driving style.
There are cameras at certain lights that record ALL drivers who infringe the rules, most of those perpetrators won't be taxi drivers.

Why would you not want a camera in the taxi, it could help in stopping people doing a runner, assaulting the drive, oh hang on it would also show all the fares they collect off meter on a Friday/ Saturday night.

bigfella777 wrote:
I wonder who will foot the bill for modifying all the existing systems that have already been fitted, taxpayer?

"While CCTV can still be used in taxis, making it compulsory to record all conversations in taxis must stop, Mr Graham said."
I would imagine they just turn the audio off.

rich the stitch wrote:
Why would you not want a camera in the taxi, it could help in stopping people doing a runner, assaulting the drive, oh hang on it would also show all the fares they collect off meter on a Friday/ Saturday night.

camara + audio

bigfella777 wrote:
I wonder who will foot the bill for modifying all the existing systems that have already been fitted, taxpayer?

Why not? It's the tax payer that wants it. Don't see why the drivers should fund these endless changes.

rich the stitch wrote:
Why would you not want a camera in the taxi, it could help in stopping people doing a runner, assaulting the drive, oh hang on it would also show all the fares they collect off meter on a Friday/ Saturday night.

Did you read the article, it is about recording AUDIO?

dolomiteman wrote:

rich the stitch wrote:
Why would you not want a camera in the taxi, it could help in stopping people doing a runner, assaulting the drive, oh hang on it would also show all the fares they collect off meter on a Friday/ Saturday night.

Did you read the article, it is about recording AUDIO?

Did you read the article, it is about recording AUDIO and IMAGES?

''By requiring taxi operators to record all conversations and images while the vehicles are in use, Southampton City Council have gone too far."

I would imagine that the Driver/taxi company will have to foot the bill as they are private companies that have to work within a regulated environment.

It is worth noting, drivers had to pay for the units when they introduced CCTV. Also, that there was no competition so they could only have a unit fitted by a pre agreed agent (a certain amount of palm greasing in those situations is inevitable). I would imagine, if there is a requirement to reconfigure these units the same rules would apply.

Effectively meaning Taxi drivers will have been charged twice for something that they didn’t want or need and had no freedom to get for a reasonable price

It was the taxi operators/drivers fault that they did not put the handbrakes on for a few days or more when the ..compulsory cctv installation was originally announced. Too late now.

Ted Rogers wrote:

The Phantomerer wrote:
Can we have CCTV to record all the taxis that don't stop at red lights and the taxi drivers that seem to have no understanding of traffic laws?

This is about the privacy of the passengers, not about driving style.
There are cameras at certain lights that record ALL drivers who infringe the rules, most of those perpetrators won't be taxi drivers.

Thank you for explaining that.

Indeed most drivers who infringe road traffic rules are not likely to be taxi drivers because most drivers are not taxi drivers. However, my experience as a pedestrian in Southampton leads me to conclude that there seems to be a sizeable minority of taxi drivers that, for example, fail to stop at red lights; assume that a flashing amber light on a crossing means rev engine, sound horn, and shout obscenities at pedestrians still crossing the road; fail to indicate; do not look before pulling out of a side road; do not give way to pedestrians who are already crossing a side road that they wish to turn into etc etc. Granted other drivers may also do this, but taxi drivers spend all their working time on the road so should understand and abide by traffic laws. If there were cameras recording what they were doing on the road it would be easier to tackle this behaviour. A pedestrian or other road user could report a dangerous incident and footage could be reviewed, then it could be explained to the taxi driver that driving through a red light (or whatever else they did wrong) is illegal and dangerous, because some of them don't seem to have any understanding of the rules of the road, which reflects badly on the majority of taxi drivers that do understand and abide by traffic laws.

LAST ONE I GOT IN COULD NOT SPEAK ENGLISH HAVE THAT SHOWER GOT A LICENCE TO DRIVE IN THE UK!

Fatty x Ford Worker wrote:
LAST ONE I GOT IN COULD NOT SPEAK ENGLISH HAVE THAT SHOWER GOT A LICENCE TO DRIVE IN THE UK!

You got in a taxi driver? Well....

The Phantomerer wrote:

Ted Rogers wrote:

The Phantomerer wrote: Can we have CCTV to record all the taxis that don't stop at red lights and the taxi drivers that seem to have no understanding of traffic laws?

This is about the privacy of the passengers, not about driving style. There are cameras at certain lights that record ALL drivers who infringe the rules, most of those perpetrators won't be taxi drivers.

Thank you for explaining that. Indeed most drivers who infringe road traffic rules are not likely to be taxi drivers because most drivers are not taxi drivers. However, my experience as a pedestrian in Southampton leads me to conclude that there seems to be a sizeable minority of taxi drivers that, for example, fail to stop at red lights; assume that a flashing amber light on a crossing means rev engine, sound horn, and shout obscenities at pedestrians still crossing the road; fail to indicate; do not look before pulling out of a side road; do not give way to pedestrians who are already crossing a side road that they wish to turn into etc etc. Granted other drivers may also do this, but taxi drivers spend all their working time on the road so should understand and abide by traffic laws. If there were cameras recording what they were doing on the road it would be easier to tackle this behaviour. A pedestrian or other road user could report a dangerous incident and footage could be reviewed, then it could be explained to the taxi driver that driving through a red light (or whatever else they did wrong) is illegal and dangerous, because some of them don't seem to have any understanding of the rules of the road, which reflects badly on the majority of taxi drivers that do understand and abide by traffic laws.

Nonsense. All drivers on the road should be aware of the same laws you state. You're singling out Taxi drivers unfairly in my opinion.
I spend a good portion of my working week on the road and have very few concerns with Taxi drivers.

owen_thesaints wrote:

dolomiteman wrote:

rich the stitch wrote:
Why would you not want a camera in the taxi, it could help in stopping people doing a runner, assaulting the drive, oh hang on it would also show all the fares they collect off meter on a Friday/ Saturday night.

Did you read the article, it is about recording AUDIO?

Did you read the article, it is about recording AUDIO and IMAGES?

''By requiring taxi operators to record all conversations and images while the vehicles are in use, Southampton City Council have gone too far."

yes, that's why I put camera + audio underneath it. The drivers just don't want the 'or £20 off the meter' recorded.

andysaints007 wrote:

Ted Rogers wrote:

The Phantomerer wrote:

Ted Rogers wrote:

The Phantomerer wrote: Can we have CCTV to record all the taxis that don't stop at red lights and the taxi drivers that seem to have no understanding of traffic laws?

This is about the privacy of the passengers, not about driving style. There are cameras at certain lights that record ALL drivers who infringe the rules, most of those perpetrators won't be taxi drivers.

Thank you for explaining that. Indeed most drivers who infringe road traffic rules are not likely to be taxi drivers because most drivers are not taxi drivers. However, my experience as a pedestrian in Southampton leads me to conclude that there seems to be a sizeable minority of taxi drivers that, for example, fail to stop at red lights; assume that a flashing amber light on a crossing means rev engine, sound horn, and shout obscenities at pedestrians still crossing the road; fail to indicate; do not look before pulling out of a side road; do not give way to pedestrians who are already crossing a side road that they wish to turn into etc etc. Granted other drivers may also do this, but taxi drivers spend all their working time on the road so should understand and abide by traffic laws. If there were cameras recording what they were doing on the road it would be easier to tackle this behaviour. A pedestrian or other road user could report a dangerous incident and footage could be reviewed, then it could be explained to the taxi driver that driving through a red light (or whatever else they did wrong) is illegal and dangerous, because some of them don't seem to have any understanding of the rules of the road, which reflects badly on the majority of taxi drivers that do understand and abide by traffic laws.

Nonsense. All drivers on the road should be aware of the same laws you state. You're singling out Taxi drivers unfairly in my opinion.
I spend a good portion of my working week on the road and have very few concerns with Taxi drivers.

Well you better stick with 3-2-1 then mate cos u obviously don't pay the much attention on the road then! They are a shower of sh*t most of these cabbies and would probably stitch their own grannies up for a few bob too

SOONER RIDE A DUSTY BIN MATE HA HA HA!

In seeking to 'protect' citizens privacy, the Information Commissioner has dealt a blow to the overall safety of taxi passengers in Soton. Example 1. Taxi driver picks up very drunk young lady in Soton late at night. He switches off his GPS tracker, drives her to a car park and has sex with her. She claims she was raped, he claims it was consensual. He was found not guilty in court, she admitted she was so drunk she can't remember what happened. Forget the issue of rape, what kind of person is the driver? You want him picking up you? Your sister/daughter/neic
e? He is driving today in Southampton. I could give you many more examples. Sad day for the consumer. Ps. Any idea how many convicted sex offenders driving taxis in Southampton? You don't want to know, it would scare you witless.

thinklikealocal wrote:
In seeking to 'protect' citizens privacy, the Information Commissioner has dealt a blow to the overall safety of taxi passengers in Soton. Example 1. Taxi driver picks up very drunk young lady in Soton late at night. He switches off his GPS tracker, drives her to a car park and has sex with her. She claims she was raped, he claims it was consensual. He was found not guilty in court, she admitted she was so drunk she can't remember what happened. Forget the issue of rape, what kind of person is the driver? You want him picking up you? Your sister/daughter/neic e? He is driving today in Southampton. I could give you many more examples. Sad day for the consumer. Ps. Any idea how many convicted sex offenders driving taxis in Southampton? You don't want to know, it would scare you witless.

You seem to know enlighten us to how many sex offenders are driving taxis and private hires in Southampton?

NotoNwo wrote:

thinklikealocal wrote:
In seeking to 'protect' citizens privacy, the Information Commissioner has dealt a blow to the overall safety of taxi passengers in Soton. Example 1. Taxi driver picks up very drunk young lady in Soton late at night. He switches off his GPS tracker, drives her to a car park and has sex with her. She claims she was raped, he claims it was consensual. He was found not guilty in court, she admitted she was so drunk she can't remember what happened. Forget the issue of rape, what kind of person is the driver? You want him picking up you? Your sister/daughter/neic e? He is driving today in Southampton. I could give you many more examples. Sad day for the consumer. Ps. Any idea how many convicted sex offenders driving taxis in Southampton? You don't want to know, it would scare you witless.

You seem to know enlighten us to how many sex offenders are driving taxis and private hires in Southampton?

yes please do!!!

Although I know a guy who spent 3 years in prison for having sex with a passenger. She claimed rape two days afterwards. He was convicted. It then turns out that she had done the same thing three times before and had confided in a friend that the only reason that she did it was to make her boyfriend jealous and in the preious two occassions had asked for money from the alleged 'rapers'. I would think that audio and video would protect the drivers too.

southampton999 wrote:

NotoNwo wrote:

thinklikealocal wrote: In seeking to 'protect' citizens privacy, the Information Commissioner has dealt a blow to the overall safety of taxi passengers in Soton. Example 1. Taxi driver picks up very drunk young lady in Soton late at night. He switches off his GPS tracker, drives her to a car park and has sex with her. She claims she was raped, he claims it was consensual. He was found not guilty in court, she admitted she was so drunk she can't remember what happened. Forget the issue of rape, what kind of person is the driver? You want him picking up you? Your sister/daughter/neic e? He is driving today in Southampton. I could give you many more examples. Sad day for the consumer. Ps. Any idea how many convicted sex offenders driving taxis in Southampton? You don't want to know, it would scare you witless.

You seem to know enlighten us to how many sex offenders are driving taxis and private hires in Southampton?

yes please do!!! Although I know a guy who spent 3 years in prison for having sex with a passenger. She claimed rape two days afterwards. He was convicted. It then turns out that she had done the same thing three times before and had confided in a friend that the only reason that she did it was to make her boyfriend jealous and in the preious two occassions had asked for money from the alleged 'rapers'. I would think that audio and video would protect the drivers too.

Well looks like "think like a local" has lost their train of thought or are they trying to think how to think? Think like a local, do you know that initially an innocent person was arrested due to her FALSE allegation and that it was only on DNA that he was let off. The public should take lessons in drinking sensibly instead of indulging in nearly out of date cheap drinks.
Has anyone thought to praise the money drivers who have taken women home the extra distance as they were short of cash???!!! Why should drivers have to make up the shortfall for irresponsible "revellers"? Think more "national" than "local"

"the many drivers"

NotoNwo wrote:

southampton999 wrote:

NotoNwo wrote:

thinklikealocal wrote: In seeking to 'protect' citizens privacy, the Information Commissioner has dealt a blow to the overall safety of taxi passengers in Soton. Example 1. Taxi driver picks up very drunk young lady in Soton late at night. He switches off his GPS tracker, drives her to a car park and has sex with her. She claims she was raped, he claims it was consensual. He was found not guilty in court, she admitted she was so drunk she can't remember what happened. Forget the issue of rape, what kind of person is the driver? You want him picking up you? Your sister/daughter/neic e? He is driving today in Southampton. I could give you many more examples. Sad day for the consumer. Ps. Any idea how many convicted sex offenders driving taxis in Southampton? You don't want to know, it would scare you witless.

You seem to know enlighten us to how many sex offenders are driving taxis and private hires in Southampton?

yes please do!!! Although I know a guy who spent 3 years in prison for having sex with a passenger. She claimed rape two days afterwards. He was convicted. It then turns out that she had done the same thing three times before and had confided in a friend that the only reason that she did it was to make her boyfriend jealous and in the preious two occassions had asked for money from the alleged 'rapers'. I would think that audio and video would protect the drivers too.

Well looks like "think like a local" has lost their train of thought or are they trying to think how to think? Think like a local, do you know that initially an innocent person was arrested due to her FALSE allegation and that it was only on DNA that he was let off. The public should take lessons in drinking sensibly instead of indulging in nearly out of date cheap drinks. Has anyone thought to praise the money drivers who have taken women home the extra distance as they were short of cash???!!! Why should drivers have to make up the shortfall for irresponsible "revellers"? Think more "national" than "local"

You are being ridiculous. This is a local issue! The driver admitted she was very drunk and he had sex with her. When you are very drunk you are vulnerable. So this driver, who was in a position of 'responsibility', had sex with a vulnerable woman. GET IT. Your comments seem to suggest that drunk woman deserve all they get. Those views are so outdated you are typical of the old fashioned 'male chauv' views of the trade. If a driver was falsely accused, wouldn't a visual/ audio recording have protected the driver? Shame on you.

Ps. To all of u in the trade who wanted cameras banned because of a/ the cost and b/ you don't like the licensing authority, cameras stay, even when your driving for leisure, this judgement is just about audio. Not such a great 'victory' after all.

LET THE COUNCIL RECORD THIS.YOU ARE A BUNCH OF T...S