Taxi driver safety survey

Our thanks to the 42 participants in our opinion survey on the issue of how to best tackle the topical problem of taxi driver safety. Congratulations to randomly selected respondents Greg Dearsly, Christine Gordon and Phil Sexton, who each receive a copy of the classic New Zealand health and safety primer Work Safe – Healthy Business.

Q1. One suggestion for taxi drivers is to install security cameras in cabs. How much would they reduce risk of harm to drivers?

Q2. Another option is to fit hard plastic security screens. How much would these reduce risk to drivers?

Q3. If a taxi company asked you to advise on a safer cab fitout, which option would you recommend?

Some recommended both: screens to isolate, cameras to minimise. (One person said the best option would be to import London cabs – “the safest in the world” – while acknowledging the cost.)

Q4. There is talk of making security cameras in taxi compulsory by law. Would legal compulsion be a superior approach to a voluntary code of practice in this instance?

Q5. Most taxi drivers are self-employed and have little awareness of risk assessment. And if they report incidents they are likely to have less time to spend on the road earning income. How can these fundamental roadblocks to safer practice best be overcome?

Most respondents wanted to make it as simple as possible for drivers to report incidents, and felt that drivers had enough down time between jobs to do so.

Some suggested an industry standard reporting method be developed so trends could be analysed and counter-measures developed.

Some thought the question patronising, saying taxi drivers were all too aware of the risks, and that some kind of compulsory scheme or pan-industry agreement is required, and that the onus lay with the taxi companies to take the lead.

Here is a selection of comments:

The majority of drivers belong to a cooperative, which should reward those who report incidents.

It's wrong to say they have "little awareness of risk assessment". Most people do this naturally, all the time — they just don't formally document it the way safety professionals do. Experienced taxi drivers would become naturals at assessing risky fares, but one wrong assessment and the outcome can be so serious. Perhaps a forum for sharing tricks of the trade is required, on what to look out for when picking up fares.

Reporting incidents and 'near-misses' will achieve what? Some drivers may report these if there is an easy way of doing so, but what will happen then? Unless a very complete description of the potential offender can be provided, what will be the result? In 99% of reported incidents I suggest that nothing will be done as unless the police can recognise the offender and relate that offender to another crime (perhaps in the vicinity or they know the offender from previous 'form') then most drivers will not bother. Further, an offender with premeditated intent will take steps to disguise appearances, making a good description unlikely! Cameras may assist with identification provided they are mounted where the offender cannot have access and lighting levels are such that the camera can get a good pic.

An easy to use incident reporting format that is submitted to an industry committee or association for collation and development of risk control measures. If changes are seen to be made based on data analysis it's more likely self-employed taxi drivers would report. The issue would be the funding of such industry bodies/associations.

Regulate the taxi industry — make reporting simple and have it collated centrally.