Taxi drivers reminded of responsibilities

TAXI drivers and their passengers are being reminded of current legislation which requires all taxi vehicles to be smoke-free at all times, even when there are no passengers in the vehicle or it is being used for private purposes.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Oct 2011, 09:55 BST

Jane Gourley is the Tobacco Control Officer with Derry City Council and she explained that the onus is on taxi drivers to display the correct signage and to implement the legislation.

“All taxi vehicles are required to display at least one no-smoking sign in a prominent position in each compartment of the vehicle. Failure to do so may result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £200 or a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction.

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“If you smoke in a taxi, you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of up to £50 or be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1,000 and if you fail to prevent anyone else, including passengers, from smoking in your taxi, you may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £2,500.”

Within the Derry City Council area almost two-thirds of all fixed penalty notices for smoking in a smoke-free place were issued to taxi drivers.

She added that if someone is observed smoking in a taxi the registered keeper will be contacted and expected to provide details as to who was driving at that time. It is also an offence not to provide the details requested and in such cases the registered keeper may be liable to a fine of £1,000 for obstructing an officer.

Ms. Gourley encouraged taxi drivers and passengers looking for more information about the legislation to contact Derry City Council’s Environmental Health Department.