The operations manager of Tauranga's largest taxi company doubts the compulsory introduction of security cameras in taxis later this year will stop drivers being attacked.
Minister of Transport Steven Joyce announced last year it would be compulsory for security cameras to be installed in taxis operating in New Zealand's main centres and some towns from August 1, 2011.
The announcement followed the murder of Auckland taxi driver Hiren Mohini.
There was also a spate of attacks against Tauranga taxi drivers early last year.
Tauranga Mount Taxis operations manager Beth Reece is sceptical if the cameras will stop attacks.
'It's more of a preventative measure than a cure,” says Beth.
'I don't think it will totally prevent them being attacked, but it will hopefully slow down the attacks.”
She says only 50 per cent of the Tauranga Mount Taxis fleet has cameras installed.
Each owner driver will have to pay over $1000 for the cameras.
Beth says at this stage the cost will not be passed onto consumers.
1 comment
The perspex
Posted on 07-05-2011 19:01 | By KiwiSteve
screens, in my opinion, are a much better idea. Have speed cameras stopped speeding as much as a higher police presence would?? Prevention is the key! Scum are prevented from attacking Taxi drivers, by way of having a perspex screen installed. Having a camera installed is a deterant only. The camera will allow the police to recognise the scum that has dealt a hiding to the Taxi driver, but it could be a bit late by then! Maybe the Rt Hon. Steven Joyce has been an assaulted Taxi driver, who has been severely brain damaged? It certainly seems the case!
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.