Taxi Regulator in action/inaction?

teddansonswig

Evening all,
Just had 2 scary incidences involving taxis (indicating very late and turning right, dangerously for a fair, and using 2 lanes on a turn) on my short 4 km journey home from Dublin city, just after 1am on saturday night. Majority of the traffic out there tonight was taxis.
Aside from my 2 incidents, i also witnessed 2 taxis breaking red lights.
Has anyone ever heard of the regulator actively patrolling the streets on such a busy night? as in an unmarked car with a dash cam or even stationary with some recording equipment?
guaranteed if i was to do this journey 3/4 more times tonight id have the same situations arise again and again.
Im not here for bashing the drivers. they make me angry alright but....
if we had proper policing & revoking of offenders licences of these offenders we wouldn't have such a rediculous amount of taxis on the streets of Dublin, clogging up arteries such as Dame street and greater Georges street for other road users.

Thoie

That's not the kind of thing the Taxi Regulator deals with - those are plain and simple road traffic offences, dealt with by the gardaí, regardless of whether the driver is professional or not.

You can contact your local garda station with details, or call Traffic Watch.

teddansonswig

9.—(1) The principal function of the Commission is the development and maintenance of a regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles and their drivers.

(c) to oversee the development of a professional, safe, efficient and customer-friendly service by small public service vehicles and their drivers,

L1011

teddansonswig wrote: »

9.—(1) The principal function of the Commission is the development and maintenance of a regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles and their drivers.

(c) to oversee the development of a professional, safe, efficient and customer-friendly service by small public service vehicles and their drivers,

...traffic offences are still something you go to the Guards for, not the TR.

A driver found guilty of multiple traffic offences will not get a renewed licence.

teddansonswig

red lights ill agree are a traffic offense
but dangerously swerving for a fair is directly related to the taxi industry.

Thoie

What complaints does the Authority handle?

Section 51 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 sets out the categories of complaint that can be dealt with by the Authority. These include complaints relating to:

• The condition and cleanliness of the vehicle;
• The conduct or behaviour of an SPSV operator or driver;
• Overcharging and other matters relating to fares; and
• The hiring of the SPSV.

What if the complaint relates to a criminal matter?

If the matter to which your complaint relates is of a criminal nature, you should contact An Garda Síochána. In an emergency, ring 112 or 999.


http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/for-users/taxi-compliments-and-complaints/#complaints-handled

L1011

teddansonswig wrote: »

red lights ill agree are a traffic offense
but dangerously swerving for a fair is directly related to the taxi industry.

...its a traffic offence. Are you scared of phoning the Guards or something?

n97 mini

I think the OP wants retribution against their PSV licence, not their driving licence.

As pointed out OP, these are traffic offences.

L1011

n97 mini wrote: »

I think the OP wants retribution against their PSV licence, not their driving licence.

As pointed out OP, these are traffic offences.

Serious traffic offences will lose their PSV licence anyway.

n97 mini

MYOB wrote: »

Serious traffic offences will lose their PSV licence anyway.

They are, but that will be instigated by the Gardaí.

n97 mini

Laurinaki wrote: »

Investigated you mean? By the gardai? A joke

Which are a joke? The gardaí?

AlekSmart

teddansonswig wrote: »

9.—(1) The principal function of the Commission is the development and maintenance of a regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles and their drivers.

(c) to oversee the development of a professional, safe, efficient and customer-friendly service by small public service vehicles and their drivers,

I actually see great merit in teddansonswig's thinking here...however one must step-back a little here and apply some Irish regulatory logic here.

I'm sure that some Taxi industry posters will agree that in the past,The Garda Carriage Office maintained a somewhat tight-rein over the general day-to-day behaviour of the trade and it's practitioners.

Getting involved in a skirmish with the GCO was not something that a Taxi driver would have been keen to do,as it had serious repercussions.

Added to this was the GCO's ability to take Taxi specific complaints and DEAL with them.

The arrival of the Brave New World of "New" Irish Regulation,in the guise of the Office of Taxi Regulation brought with it a blaze of colour,aspirations and most importantly a PR budget.

Much of this budget was/is spent upon telling complainants,at some length,why their complaint is not actually within the remit of the NEW ! IMPROVED ! regulatory body...This is not a Taxi specific issue,it holds true for almost every area where a NEW! IMPROVED! regulatory framework has been implimented....Nobody,but Nobody appears to ever be in charge,something perhaps best illustrated by the Financial Regulators rather colourful performances c.2008 :rolleyes:

Thoie

It's going to be newer! and improveder! from January anyway - the Taxi Regulator is becoming part of the NRA.

teddansonswig

thanks AlekSmart im a yungone with no idea what the policy was before '03

in some sense i would be afraid to call AGS or Traffic Watch, as their web states a long and drawn out process.
Memories of complaining to AGS about being hit by a car while walking on the path(inside the line of cars parked in front of the shops, where you never would expect a car to drive, with no apparent remorse from the psycho driver) when the gardai told me that there was no such thing as a caution for this driver and that if i wished to procede further with an assault charge i would have to have my day in court. A very horrific experience reporting this to be honest. I was surprised (in my youth) that there was no mechanism for simply informing AGS that this man shouldn't be let behind a wheel of a tricycle. (sorry rant over)

I believe AGS are far to busy and spread out too thin on a saturday night (anyone sober in Temple bar @ 11-4am will confirm this)

That we pay a regulating body and they should do just that.

I want less taxis on the roads, as a cyclist traveling anywhere through the CC in evenings, night time is an absolute hazard because of taxi overcrowding.
I think the obvious solution would be to revoke some licences for observed traffic violations. That should be in the remit of the Taxi Regulators and I will be contacting all Members of the Advisory Committee at the Taxi Regulators Authority as part of the National Transport Authority.
Especially Mr. Michael Rowland of the Road Safety Authority (Persons with Special Interest or Expertise on said Committee) as all I ask is for safe roads.

teddansonswig

page 1 is of interest also, thanks!

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:SaqZhrsF5xAJ:debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/11/09/unrevised2.pdf+Junior+minister+at+the+Dept.+of+Transport,+Alan+Kelly,+on+RTE+now+said+that+the+Dept.+is+looking+at+handing+all+taxi+enforcement+to+the+Garda%C3%AD.&hl=en&gl=ie&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjnAYiykItbW4nfpPiRWOHDcQiY8OQIbQZx_GJgVyhp11ZmeEJRlTdoR0pNXNBuTNUPxkeGPNDNPNGw9S4TotiNhqK4HZF1kXdy6NzpG-RqVCa-6IfFFhTaCEjwxfEbN0Vq4JkD&sig=AHIEtbReEDplrPgEqZZkG9e451dO_tJLDw

Bazzer2

Seeing professional drivers such as bus or truck drivers have to undergo the CPC system, surely taxi drivers should have to do the same? At the moment, I reckon 95 percent of them are a law unto themselves.

AlekSmart

Thoie wrote: »

It's going to be newer! and improveder! from January anyway - the Taxi Regulator is becoming part of the NRA.

OOps almost forgot that....LAST January even :eek:

And...now it's a Directorate

http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/

Strewth...that IS colourful !!

Andrew33

Bazzer2 wrote: »

Seeing professional drivers such as bus or truck drivers have to undergo the CPC system, surely taxi drivers should have to do the same? At the moment, I reckon 95 percent of them are a law unto themselves.

I would love to see every taxi driver re sit the basic driving test before they bring in another money making scheme. I'll volunteer to go first!
I reckon quite a lot would fail even the basic test.
I see it every single weekend, taxi drivers bunny hopping their car away from traffic lights because of poor clutch control, running over paths when cornering, driving tru pedestrian crossing with peds on them etc etc etc, it's soul destroying to the guys who operate professionally to see this behaviour and these dodgy drivers are putting peoples lives at very real risk.

samsham

I don't like driving in Dublin, but almost once a month I have to, I have to say my experience of bad driving there is not that of taxi drivers. When you come up from Waterford the journey on the new motorway is great, until you get close to Dublin. How you know your close to Dublin is the cars overtake you on the inside and outside lanes at the same time. Again on the carriageway coming to Bewleys hotel, It like being in Asia. The driving is absolutely dangerous and chaotic. I think its the traffic problems up there that bring out the worse in drivers. I have no experiences of bad Taxi driving, but I can understand their customers would not be happy if they were not making some kind of effort to make the journey that bit quicker. Have to say as a person who drives a lot. I have never ever seen a Taxi in serious accident. Once I saw a fender bender and the taxi driver was hit from behind.

teddansonswig

happened to me again tonight, same journey same timeframe.
one taxi on the quays breaks suddenly twice for no reason then breaks red light because i blew him out of it, and the 2nd is in the same spot again turning a corner in fairview where the taxi decides to take 2 lanes up for his turn. i cant be the only one this is happening to?!?!

oisindoyle

teddansonswig wrote: »

happened to me again tonight, same journey same timeframe.
one taxi on the quays breaks suddenly twice for no reason then breaks red light because i blew him out of it, and the 2nd is in the same spot again turning a corner in fairview where the taxi decides to take 2 lanes up for his turn. i cant be the only one this is happening to?!?!

So i presume you took their reg and phoned the Gards? or did you just prefer to do nothing and complain about taxi drivers on here
If its that much of an issue with you phone the Gards ,its bad driving ,simple as that

teddansonswig

i wish i had the time to write the reg down , while driving, and recovering from the shock. not focused on doing something stupid like writing while driving with so many **** TAXI drivers on the roads.

im trying to raise a point that there is no body regulating these guys and they should have a watchdog spot checking / under cover watching their actions on the roads. as they have general public in their care they should be more accountable and the truth is far opposite of this.

Losty Dublin

teddansonswig wrote: »

i wish i had the time to write the reg down , while driving, and recovering from the shock. not focused on doing something stupid like writing while driving with so many **** TAXI drivers on the roads.

im trying to raise a point that there is no body regulating these guys and they should have a watchdog spot checking / under cover watching their actions on the roads. as they have general public in their care they should be more accountable and the truth is far opposite of this.

Shouldn't that apply to all bad drivers out there, which Lord knows there are too effing many of on our roads.

foggy_lad

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Shouldn't that apply to all bad drivers out there, which Lord knows there are too effing many of on our roads.

Yes of course but more so for all (including taxi drivers) who drive for a living as nobody would like to think of them earning a living while breaking the law in their cars/trucks/coaches etc

teddansonswig

hey, I just realised something, the reason im back here hitching about it,

same time ,
same route,
same speed,
same dangerous taxis



( its from my partners to my house, late friday night to avoid the clamping at 7 am in residential d8 on a saturday(??) )

im going to sleep on the ramifications of this revelation

Spook_ie

Assuming they weren't the same taxis ( unlikely you must agree ) then the common demoninator would be yourself and your driving....Odd or what?:rolleyes:

meanmachine3

foggy_lad wrote: »

Yes of course but more so for all (including taxi drivers) who drive for a living as nobody would like to think of them earning a living while breaking the law in their cars/trucks/coaches etc

the biggest problem with this country is the penalty points and renewal of the driving license. the law needs to be changed here also. it's possible for person driving for a living to accumulate hundreds of penalty points over the duration of their 10 year license. this needs to be badly looked at. i know alot of taxi drivers use the excuse " if i loose my license i loose my lively hood" and get away with it. the license doesn't have to be renewed just inspected by the relevant authority to make sure penalty points are being issued accordingly if applicable.

tayto lover

teddansonswig wrote: »

red lights ill agree are a traffic offense
but dangerously swerving for a fair is directly related to the taxi industry.

Was it a Funfair ?

teddansonswig

Spook_ie wrote: »

Assuming they weren't the same taxis ( unlikely you must agree ) then the common demoninator would be yourself and your driving....Odd or what?:rolleyes:

so glad it was a taxi driver who turned my post on its head!
i love boards

no. just no. if you had read the posts...
i cant be responsible for what happens in front of me.
im not responsible for a taxi suddenly breaking twice on a clear stretch of road
im not responsible for a taxi dangerously swerving last min for a fair
im not responsible for a taxi not following the markings on the road while turning a corner and using my lane, mm from my car, for convenience.

the common denominator i think here is that its friday night, and taxi drivers are more concerned with ranting to their passengers than paying attention to the other road users and rules of the road.

they are making my journey through the city unsafe.

if i can spot these every friday night i wish someone in authority would witness the same and do something about it.

meanmachine3

i have to laugh at some of the posts about reporting dangerous driving by taxi drivers in this thread and in others in the past.
" hello guards please. i'm in the back of a taxi and he's driving like a mad man. cutting up other drivers, breaking red lights and so on and so forth". can anyone tell me what the reaction of a taxi driver would be in this case upon hearing a passenger on the phone to the guards about their reckless ,careless dangerous driving. unfortunately the guards cant go by hear say. if it's that bad they'll ask you to take a civil action on this matter. correct me if i'm wrong here!.
O.P. i really sympathize with you. as someone who drives for a living i see this type of lunacy on a daily basis and it gets worse as it gets closer to the weekend. hence one of my reasons for not getting taxi's.

AlekSmart

teddansonswig wrote: »

If i can spot these every friday night i wish someone in authority would witness the same and do something about it.

Make no mistake,Teddansonswig,the "Authorities" are fully aware of the situation.

Whether from electronic means such as DCC and Garda CCTV or by reports from Gardai and other road users themselves the usual suspects are well aware of the chaos which prevails.

However,one needs to understand that if the "Authorities" respond to the bleedin obvious,that reaction becomes a tacit admission that their Taxi Regulation scheme has'nt worked.

Do you honestly believe that the "Authorities",now represented by the "Directorate" will even nod in the direction that their Regulatory Regime is simply unfit for (any) purpose.

No,or at least not until a major fatality caused by the sort of actions you describe will action of any sort be taken and then it will be of such nature to preserve the hide of whichever "Authority" figure happens to be on duty at the time.

The only other posible explanation I can think of, involves money....:(

oisindoyle

teddansonswig wrote: »

so glad it was a taxi driver who turned my post on its head!
i love boards

no. just no. if you had read the posts...
i cant be responsible for what happens in front of me.
im not responsible for a taxi suddenly breaking twice on a clear stretch of road
im not responsible for a taxi dangerously swerving last min for a fair
im not responsible for a taxi not following the markings on the road while turning a corner and using my lane, mm from my car, for convenience.

the common denominator i think here is that its friday night, and taxi drivers are more concerned with ranting to their passengers than paying attention to the other road users and rules of the road.

they are making my journey through the city unsafe.

if i can spot these every friday night i wish someone in authority would witness the same and do something about it.

The common denominator is you are having a rant at taxi drivers..
Im sure there are lots of bad driers out there ,but the difference is they dont have a roof sign and you pay less attention to them ,,
Its simple really if you do have a bee in your bonnet about taxis phone the Gards,,,
but then you would be reckless i.e. driving and useing a mobile phone at the same time ,,,,,

Spook_ie

oisindoyle wrote: »

The common denominator is you are having a rant at taxi drivers..
Im sure there are lots of bad driers out there ,but the difference is they dont have a roof sign and you pay less attention to them ,,
Its simple really if you do have a bee in your bonnet about taxis phone the Gards,,,
but then you would be reckless i.e. driving and useing a mobile phone at the same time ,,,,,

Not if he was hands free, though RSA do recommend NOT using a mobile AT ALL while driving, but I do have to agree that you see a taxi driven badly it sticks in the mind more so than an ordinary car. In fact one of the "stock" comments I use when encountering loopers on the road while with passengers is "Look at that fooking idiot and he doesn't even have a taxi sign on his roof"

teddansonswig

oisindoyle wrote: »

The common denominator is you are having a rant at taxi drivers..
Im sure there are lots of bad driers out there ,but the difference is they dont have a roof sign and you pay less attention to them ,,
Its simple really if you do have a bee in your bonnet about taxis phone the Gards,,,
but then you would be reckless i.e. driving and useing a mobile phone at the same time ,,,,,

honestly mate, im not here to bash the drivers, its the regulators i have issues with.
and at 3/4am on a Saturday morning in Dublin city, there is nobody else on the road but taxis. I dont see that kind of bad driving any other time im on the road, which leads me to believe its related to the industry and should be in the remit of the regulators.

teddansonswig

AlekSmart wrote: »

Make no mistake,Teddansonswig,the "Authorities" are fully aware of the situation.

Whether from electronic means such as DCC and Garda CCTV or by reports from Gardai and other road users themselves the usual suspects are well aware of the chaos which prevails.

However,one needs to understand that if the "Authorities" respond to the bleedin obvious,that reaction becomes a tacit admission that their Taxi Regulation scheme has'nt worked.

Do you honestly believe that the "Authorities",now represented by the "Directorate" will even nod in the direction that their Regulatory Regime is simply unfit for (any) purpose.

No,or at least not until a major fatality caused by the sort of actions you describe will action of any sort be taken and then it will be of such nature to preserve the hide of whichever "Authority" figure happens to be on duty at the time.

The only other posible explanation I can think of, involves money....:(

Thanks AlekSmart ! you have reassured my faith in boards for having a rational discussion about the issues, i think i love you.

Many posters have said that dangerous driving is not in the remit of the regulators so im unsure as to where the fault lies. It seems that the regulators are responsible for the decor/smell of the taxi, the positioning of the licence number on the roof ect ect..

We already have plenty of examples thanks to the Prime Time Investigates show on the industry, about the lax regulation and sharing of licences, yet still no obvious change.

I just want to drive & cycle safely through the CC. The sheer number of taxis in Dublin seem to be the major obstacle to this.

amtc

I'm a regular taxi user.

This time last year I got a taxi home from O'Connell Street about 8pm one Friday. I had been out for two drinks after work so was in no way inebriated.

The taxi driver was on his phone (handheld) all the way, having a very intimate conversation with who I assumed was his partner. I was a bit annoyed at this not just because of the handheld mobile but also the content of the call. When he eventually hung up, he said to me it was the girl he picked up before me...but if he'd met me first he would have preferred me.

I texted a friend, who called me back and I pretended he was my husband, waiting at home.

When I got home, the driver dropped me off. I didn't really want him knowing where I lived so I opened my car door (which was parked outside in a communal estate) and sat inside and rang my mum to come up to me. He stayed outside so eventually I decided I was better in my house. He stayed outside for an hour. He dropped in a card with his mobile number. He also called into my house the next night (I didn't open the door). I called the Carriage Office, the Regulator and the Guards and didn't hear a word. I have seen the same guy at a taxi rank twice since.

My point is that in my 30s I was clued in enough to know what to do, but a young girl wouldn't be. And even after reporting it no-one bothered following up

AlekSmart

amtc wrote: »

I'm a regular taxi user.

This time last year I got a taxi home from O'Connell Street about 8pm one Friday. I had been out for two drinks after work so was in no way inebriated.

The taxi driver was on his phone (handheld) all the way, having a very intimate conversation with who I assumed was his partner. I was a bit annoyed at this not just because of the handheld mobile but also the content of the call. When he eventually hung up, he said to me it was the girl he picked up before me...but if he'd met me first he would have preferred me.

I texted a friend, who called me back and I pretended he was my husband, waiting at home.

When I got home, the driver dropped me off. I didn't really want him knowing where I lived so I opened my car door (which was parked outside in a communal estate) and sat inside and rang my mum to come up to me. He stayed outside so eventually I decided I was better in my house. He stayed outside for an hour. He dropped in a card with his mobile number. He also called into my house the next night (I didn't open the door). I called the Carriage Office, the Regulator and the Guards and didn't hear a word. I have seen the same guy at a taxi rank twice since.

My point is that in my 30s I was clued in enough to know what to do, but a young girl wouldn't be. And even after reporting it no-one bothered following up

Serious,Serious,SERIOUS stuff in relation to a public service.

It cuts directly to the role of the Taxi Directorate and I'm incredulous that none of the above reverted to you about your complaint.

It appears as Tedansonswig posts....

Many posters have said that dangerous driving is not in the remit of the regulators so im unsure as to where the fault lies. It seems that the regulators are responsible for the decor/smell of the taxi, the positioning of the licence number on the roof ect ect..

IF the Taxi Directorate persist with their current policy of denying responsibility for any aspect of their so-called remit then surely they have become one of the Quango's to be eliminated in the current cull ?

There is,I feel some confusion amongst many as to the issues in play.
One is deregulation per se which is essentially a numbers game.
The second,and more important is the Operational Regulation,which apparently has been totally erased from the OTR's to-do list on the basis that Taxidrivers are self-employed.

Irrespective of this,amtc's post above raises direct and serious issues,not only about the Taxidriver concerned,but about the credibility of the entire Regulatory Process. :mad:

oisindoyle

amtc wrote: »

I'm a regular taxi user.

This time last year I got a taxi home from O'Connell Street about 8pm one Friday. I had been out for two drinks after work so was in no way inebriated.

The taxi driver was on his phone (handheld) all the way, having a very intimate conversation with who I assumed was his partner. I was a bit annoyed at this not just because of the handheld mobile but also the content of the call. When he eventually hung up, he said to me it was the girl he picked up before me...but if he'd met me first he would have preferred me.

I texted a friend, who called me back and I pretended he was my husband, waiting at home.

When I got home, the driver dropped me off. I didn't really want him knowing where I lived so I opened my car door (which was parked outside in a communal estate) and sat inside and rang my mum to come up to me. He stayed outside so eventually I decided I was better in my house. He stayed outside for an hour. He dropped in a card with his mobile number. He also called into my house the next night (I didn't open the door). I called the Carriage Office, the Regulator and the Guards and didn't hear a word. I have seen the same guy at a taxi rank twice since.

My point is that in my 30s I was clued in enough to know what to do, but a young girl wouldn't be. And even after reporting it no-one bothered following up

shocking story ...Which carriage office did you phone ? there are a few and what did they say ?
Which Garda station did you phone and what did they say?
What did the regulators office say when you phoned?
You need to follow this up and NOT let it go ,its too serious an issue and that driver needs a "talking to"...His behaviour is unacceptable

amtc

The Carriage Office was Dublin castle - they said to ring the Guards

The Regulator said the same thing

The Guards said I had to call in person to them (Blanchardstown)..I gave up at that stage

oisindoyle

amtc wrote: »

The Carriage Office was Dublin castle - they said to ring the Guards

The Regulator said the same thing

The Guards said I had to call in person to them (Blanchardstown)..I gave up at that stage

the Carriage office ARE the Gards,surprised they didnt take details
Likewise ,surprised the TR didnt take any details ,
Why didnt you follow it up and go to the station ,,,it was /IS a serious matter...Its not too late ,,,
I presume you have the drivers details? plate number ,,reg no ,,badge no.,make and colour of car and receipt for journey ?

amtc

I gave them his mobile phone number. reg and plate number with a description of the car and driver. How much more do I need to do?!

schemingbohemia

amtc wrote: »

I gave them his mobile phone number. reg and plate number with a description of the car and driver. How much more do I need to do?!

I really sympathise with what happened to you and it's a disgrace and I would urge you to follow up and call in, in person, to Blanchardstown Garda station.

But, generally the Garda can't operate on the basis of a phone call complaint, otherwise they'd be off chasing everyone who got annoyed at their neighbour for parking the car in the wrong place. I'm not equating the two in any way but trying to show why they need you to come in and make an official statement so that they can take this serious matter further. I would urge you to do so as you yourself said, you're a mature woman who knew how to handle this type of situation but others may not be so lucky.

Where To

amtc wrote: »

I gave them his mobile phone number. reg and plate number with a description of the car and driver. How much more do I need to do?!

You really should follow this up, go to the guards and don't leave until they take a statement and his details. That guy shouldn't be on the street never mind behind the wheel of a taxi.

Spook_ie

amtc wrote: »

I gave them his mobile phone number. reg and plate number with a description of the car and driver. How much more do I need to do?!

In all probability you would need to go in and make a formal complaint to the Garda before they can follow it up, as at the time you didn't ring them as an emergency 999, just rules n protocols AFAIK

Marquis de carabas

amtc wrote: »

I gave them his mobile phone number. reg and plate number with a description of the car and driver. How much more do I need to do?!

Just looking at the details but while what this man did was very creepy and disturbing it doesn't appear to be illegal as such.

It is possible he may not be an actual taxi driver which would be snap offence and I certainly would dissuade you from reporting it to the Guards but I'd be prepared for them to tell you theirs nothing they can do.

You may have greater luck with the taxi regulator but its likely to be the same. All in all laws regarding the regulation of taxis is very weak in this country and its near impossible for the Guards to even object to his psv licence unless he has convictions for something.

bk

Marquis de carabas wrote: »

Just looking at the details but while what this man did was very creepy and disturbing it doesn't appear to be illegal as such.

It is possible he may not be an actual taxi driver which would be snap offence and I certainly would dissuade you from reporting it to the Guards but I'd be prepared for them to tell you theirs nothing they can do.

I agree, while very creepy and scary, what he did probably isn't illegal.

However I'm sure if you make an official complaint, the Guards will take it seriously and will likely "have a word with him", give him a caution and let him know that they are keeping an eye on him.

Hopefully that would put some manners on him and will hopefully protect other women from this sleaze bag.

Marquis de carabas

bk wrote: »

I agree, while very creepy and scary, what he did probably isn't illegal.

However I'm sure if you make an official complaint, the Guards will take it seriously and will likely "have a word with him", give him a caution and let him know that they are keeping an eye on him.

Hopefully that would put some manners on him and will hopefully protect other women from this sleaze bag.

I agree though the Garda Siochana act severely restricts the Guards ability to deal with non crime incidents. At the very least they will be able to record it. It's very poor that a service which regularly deals with venerable people should have such lax regulations as to what makes a person suitable to be a taxi driver.

schemingbohemia

Marquis de carabas wrote: »

I agree though the Garda Siochana act severely restricts the Guards ability to deal with non crime incidents. At the very least they will be able to record it. It's very poor that a service which regularly deals with venerable people should have such lax regulations as to what makes a person suitable to be a taxi driver.

Sorry but do you expect the regulator to have personality tests for taxi drivers?

As has been pointed out - this guy - whilst creepy has done nothing illegal, inappropriate certainly but not illegal.

Marquis de carabas

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Sorry but do you expect the regulator to have personality tests for taxi drivers?

As has been pointed out - this guy - whilst creepy has done nothing illegal, inappropriate certainly but not illegal.

I did point out that it wasn't illegal.

Obviously personality tests are not feasible. What their should be though is a code of conduct and some comprehensive test to show you understand the rules and that you agree to abide by them.

The present situation where the only impediment to obtaining a taxi plate is a conviction for a serious offence is Madness.

Where To

Marquis de carabas wrote: »

I did point out that it wasn't illegal.

Obviously personality tests are not feasible. What their should be though is a code of conduct and some comprehensive test to show you understand the rules and that you agree to abide by them.

The present situation where the only impediment to obtaining a taxi plate is a conviction for a serious offence is Madness.

And that impediment can be overturned on appeal . . . . .

schemingbohemia

Marquis de carabas wrote: »

I did point out that it wasn't illegal.

Obviously personality tests are not feasible. What their should be though is a code of conduct and some comprehensive test to show you understand the rules and that you agree to abide by them.

The present situation where the only impediment to obtaining a taxi plate is a conviction for a serious offence is Madness.

And do you really think what you're proposing would have made any difference in the case being discussed?