CLYDEBANK

A TAXI driver was left traumatised after yobs smashed her vehicle’s windscreen with an ORANGE while she was driving.

SHOCKED: Theresa Martin’s taxi was struck — smashing her front windscreen on an early hours drive.

Theresa Martin was driving along Glasgow Road in Clydebank in the early hours of Thursday, July 9 when a black car approached and suddenly her window shattered.

The 58-year-old was given the fright of her life and nearly came off the road after being covered in glass particles.

Theresa had no idea what caused the impact but police investigated the stretch of road between Hardgate and Faifley and discovered that the missile was a large orange.

The mum-of-two, of Parkhall, told the Post: “It was a shock for that to happen — I could have been killed if I was going any faster.

“It smashed my whole window through, taking me completely by surprise. These idiots shouldn’t be allowed to get away with doing things like this to people.”

Theresa told the Post how she loves her job but has been left upset by the whole incident, and now has to foot a repair bill for her windscreen.

The married mum, who works with First Taxis in Bearsden, cannot afford to take much time off despite needing to relax after the incident.

Police told Theresa if she was going any faster the missile would have put the whole window through. Being startled while driving faster may have ended in a serious road accident.

After being struck she slammed on the brakes and executed an emergency stop.

She continued: “You don’t expect something to come flying out a car and smash your front windscreen.
“Thank god I didn’t have anyone in the car, someone could have been killed.

“They don’t realise what they’re doing to people who’re just trying to earn a living, people just like them.

“I love my job and I’m not going to let these idiots on the road make me stop or be scared to go out working.”

http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2015/07/16/539176-clydebank-taxi-driver-attacked-by-orange/
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 Compulsory CCTV cameras proposed for Manchester cabbies

All taxis in Manchester could be forced to install CCTV cameras under a town hall campaign to improve passenger safety.

Council chiefs believe the move would help reassure people using cabs in the city, particularly on their way home from a night out.

But cabbies have warned the extra cost would put added pressure on an already struggling industry.

The council currently operates a voluntary CCTV scheme and gives drivers a list of recommended firms to use.

If the new proposal is agreed, the council would become Greater Manchester’s first authority to make cameras compulsory.

That could be extended to both black cabs and private hire cars, although it is understood hackney carriages are the prime focus.

Operators would need to pay for the cameras themselves.

Coun Nigel Murphy, executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “We are always looking at ways in which we can make people feel safer when they get home from nights out in the city centre.

“We are looking into measures including giving extra training to all drivers, as well as putting CCTV cameras in taxis.

“We’ve already set up a voluntary scheme enabling taxi operators to set up CCTV in their cars, and have provided an approved list of suppliers, but we will now look into whether installing cameras in all vehicles would make passengers feel safer.

“This idea is at a very early stage, and if we decided to go ahead with this we would of course need to ask drivers and members of the public for their views, as well as looking closely at what has happened in other cities that have introduced similar schemes.”

There are already a few authorities in other parts of the country also looking at such a move, including Edinburgh and Warrington. Rotherham is also considering the move in the wake of the town’s grooming scandal.

But Les Reid, who represents 70 Manchester black cab drivers, said: “The problem is the trade is under massive financial pressure.”

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/taxis-manchester-fit-cctv-cameras-9673086