Have fun but stay safe and plan your journey’ is the message from East Riding of Yorkshire Council to party-goers ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The council is warning people to keep safe but be wary of bogus taxi drivers as they head out to celebrate over the next few weeks.
As revellers enjoy the festivities in local bars and restaurants, or visit friends and family, the last thing on their mind may be how they are going to get home. But East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Licensing Team is putting plans in place to keep customers and drivers safe and urging festive party-goers to make sure they plan ahead and only use legitimate and licensed taxis and taxi marshals will be in place to assist with this.
Licensed marshals will be on duty on the main ranks in Bridlington and Beverley over the Christmas and New Year period, between midnight and 4am, it is recognised that taxi ranks are common flashpoints for trouble with people often the worst for drink and that marshals can provide a focal point for the public to disperse from towns.
Revellers will queue for cabs, whilst marshals ensure that queues are orderly, anti-social behaviour not tolerated, that customers get into licensed vehicles only, check people are not excessively drunk, advise them no food and drink is allowed in cabs and make sure groups or individuals have enough cash to pay their fare.
For the protection of customers, the area in which they will operate offer:
* Improved lighting
* designated CCTV cameras
* a direct link to the police, if needed.
Councillor Jane Evison, chair of East Riding of Yorkshire Community Safety Partnership and portfolio holder for public protection, said: “The use of taxi marshals on our ranks is a new measure introduced to keep people safer and making them feel more secure, it brings real benefits for many people out at night in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
“The scheme will ensure people can obtain licensed taxis safely and orderly in the town centre. It will be particularly beneficial over the busy Christmas and New Year period and will assist us in preventing crime and disorder, managing anti-social behaviour on the ranks and keeping people safe.
“This is another good example of how partnership working is helping to keep people safe in our towns while they are out enjoying themselves over Christmas and New Year.”
During the festive season, the council’s licensing team also receives an increase in reports of bogus vehicles purporting to be legitimate taxi services. With potentially hundreds of Christmas parties taking place this festive season, anyone who travels by taxi should make sure it is a licensed taxi service or private hire car before they make their journey.
Councillor Evison said: “The danger to the travelling public is from a small element of unlicensed drivers who either hold no licence or attempt to accept passengers when they are not legally entitled. We want people to enjoy the festive period and to have a good time but to do it responsibly. We do urge people to take care of themselves.
“The council wants everyone to have fun and enjoy the festive season but, above all we want them to get home safely. Getting into an unlicensed vehicle is essentially the same as taking a lift from a stranger; people should remember to stay safe especially if they are under the influence of alcohol.”
Paul Bellotti, head of housing and public protection, added: “The Christmas period is one where many people who are not regular taxi users will be using taxis and private hire vehicles. We would advise the public to always check that they are using a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle.
“The working relationship we have with the taxi and private hire trade is very positive and they do a great job, especially late at night, of getting people home quickly and safely at a time when no other public transport is available.
“We are working with the trade and our partners to continue to show that the East Riding of Yorkshire is a safe place to spend an evening. The licensing team will also be making random spot checks and will prosecute those who operate taxis and private hire vehicles illegally.”
The main things to bear in mind when taking a taxi or private hire ride home are:
* Only Hackney Carriage cabs can be hailed in the street or on a taxi rank. These cars should carry a plate on the back of the vehicle and display white oval door stickers and have a top light saying ‘TAXI’
* private hire vehicles must always be booked in advance and display a plate on the back of the vehicle and there should be a yellow oval stickers on the front passenger car doors of the vehicle with the words – ‘Pre-Booked Only’
* all licensed drivers should have an East Riding of Yorkshire Council driver’s identity badge, which should be prominently displayed at all times.
Check these details before getting into a taxi. An unlicensed car and driver have not been vetted by the council and may not be insured.
Other top tips to stay safe when out and about this Christmas are:
* Carry a telephone number of a trusted, licensed taxi or private hire company with you
* if possible, book a taxi or minicab in advance. Ask for the driver’s name and for the make and colour of the car
* confirm the details with the driver when the vehicle arrives, is it the car you ordered?
* make sure you have enough money to get home
* if you are ordering a taxi from a public place, try not to let anyone overhear your name and address – anyone could pretend to be your taxi
* if you are out with friends, make sure everyone has a way of getting home
* if someone in your group has had too much to drink, accompany them to their taxi and make sure it is a legitimate vehicle. Friends should stick together and make sure you get home safely
* do not walk home if you have consumed too much alcohol as this can also make you more vulnerable. Please don’t put yourself at risk. Ask yourself ‘will you be safe?’ ‘Are you in control?’ ‘Have you let someone know what you are doing and where you are going?’
If you have any concerns about unlawful taxis operating, contact East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Licensing Team on (01482) 396297 or Humberside Police.
During the next month, the licensing team will be working in partnership with Humberside Police and the licensed trade displaying posters and beer mats in local bars, late night food take-aways, leisure centres, takeawaysand night clubs warning revellers of the dangers of drinking too much and advising how they can have a fun night out and stay safe when travelling home.
‘Get home safe tonight’ Christmas stickers will be prominently displayed in licensed vehicles for customers to look for when hailing a vehicle in the street.
