A number of measures will be put in place that will improve enforcement generally and ensure that only bona fide licensed SPSV service providers operate as taxis, hackneys or limousines. The vetting process for SPSV drivers will also be enhanced. These measures will increase confidence among passengers in relation to their safety and security in SPSVs.
The Commission for Taxi Regulation will work closely with An Garda Síochána, the SPSV industry representatives and others to attempt to reduce the vulnerability of drivers to attack, and to protect drivers from unscrupulous individuals who seek to exploit, assault or otherwise harm them. A number of measures will be taken in this regard.
The mandatory Driver Skills Development Programme will be devised in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and will feature safety and security as an important aspect. This will assist drivers to identify risks and, where possible, to avoid threatening situations. It will also provide information on what to do in the event of an attack. The Commission for Taxi Regulation will investigate the use of security equipment including CCTV cameras in vehicles and provide information to service providers. However, due to the cost and logistics involved, the Commission for Taxi Regulation does not intend to make it mandatory for the use of such cameras and believes it is up to individual drivers and operators to weigh up the costs and benefits and to consider their legal obligations in relation to the use of recording equipment in their vehicles.
Any drivers intending to install security cameras in their vehicles should familiarise themselves with any data protection obligations and the related issue of privacy rights, as well as ensuring that the provider is properly licensed by the Private Security Authority.
The Commission for Taxi Regulation will work with dispatch centres to improve the safety of drivers and passengers through the promotion of security and safety systems.
The Commission for Taxi Regulation will make passengers aware of their obligations as passengers in SPSVs and that it is an offence for a passenger or intending passenger in a SPSV to:
- Deliberately remove, displace, deface or alter any instrument, sign or notice in the vehicle,
- Spit in or on or deliberately soil any part of the vehicle,
- Deliberately leave any syringe (within the meaning of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997) or sharp instrument in any part of the vehicle, or
- Fail to pay the fare (that has been as agreed in advance) in hackneys or limousines, or as calculated by the meter in taxis.
A person found guilty of any of these offences is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €1,500.