FURNESS

A LEADING taxi driver has warned people could be sexually assaulted or end up in a “tragic road accident” if they get in cars with “boy racers” outside clubs.

Bob Mullen, secretary of the Furness Taxi Trade Association, said drivers had told him “quite often” motorists, who were not in registered or private hire vehicles or taxis, were offering lifts to revellers late at night on Cavendish Street.

Mr Mullen raised the issue at a recent Barrow Council meeting and called for private hire vehicles to be banned from displaying lighted roof signs, which he said suggested to passengers they could be used without pre-booking.

An earlier draft of council taxi policy had proposed roof signs needed to be removed from private hire vehicles but after consultation, this idea was scrapped.

Mr Mullen told councillors: “In the interests of public safety, I would like councillors to seriously consider reversing the decision made by the Licensing Committee regarding roof signs on private hire vehicles.

“The public safety issue is that the trade and no doubt the police are aware of a number of so-called “boy racers” hanging around local nightclubs in the early hours.

“Some have been observed offering lifts to people whose judgement may be impaired due to intoxication.

“Not all of these drivers have the best interests in mind of the vulnerable young people they are picking up.

“We strongly suggest that it should be publicised that for their own safety people coming out from late night venues should only get into cars with a lit roof light unless they have pre-booked.

“This is obviously not possible if private hire cars which cannot legally pick up without pre-booking also have roof lights.

“None of us wants to say we told you so after a tragic road accident or a case of sexual assault.”

Cllr Tony Callister, Barrow Council’s licensing boss said discussions were ongoing. He said: “We have formed a working group with taxi drivers and talks to find a way to properly distinguish private hire cars and taxis are currently ongoing.”

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Comment:

There is a clear Legal remedy for this Problem. Somebody in the Furness Trade, get your finger out and make the L.A. aware of this.