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From next year, all taxis in our larger towns and cities will be fitted with security cameras in a move designed to enhance the safety of both taxi drivers and their passengers.
The Government says operators will have to pay for them themselves.
The mandating of cameras in taxis, along with measures to tighten up telecommunications requirements for taxis, has been approved by Cabinet.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says it has become clear that the working environment for taxi drivers is no longer as safe as it once was.
Since December 2008 there have been a number of serious attacks on taxi drivers. Two of these attacks resulted in deaths.
Mr Joyce says Cabinet has considered the evidence and come to the conclusion that these measures are necessary.
“In-vehicle cameras are successfully used in Australia’s main cities. Overseas experience suggests that in-vehicle cameras could reduce violent and serious crime in taxis by 70 percent and taxi fare evasion by 70 percent.
“In-vehicle cameras are widely supported among the industry, and while drivers can never be 100 percent safe, these measures will make a significant reduction to the risks that drivers face.”
Cabinet has also agreed requirements for improved telecommunications systems which will ensure drivers have ‘around the clock’ communications support in the event of an emergency or if they have concerns about a potential threat.
It is planned that rules for mandating cameras and improved telecommunications will be completed by the end of the year, and the new law will be in force by the middle of next year to give operators and taxi companies time to meet the new requirements.
4 Comments
Yet more Nanny State-ism by the National Party. When will it stop?
Eric Crampton has a version of the story here:
http://offsettingbehaviour.blogspot.com/2010/08/taxis-in-cities-to-see-less-competition.html
@Matthew Brilliant!
I’m on the fence on that - higher standards are not always a bad thing, even if yes, they make things more onerous.
What amuses me more about this is that of course, for some reason, THIS law change did not require two more years of local (NZ-only) study to prove it was beneficial and accepted by all affected. Like, you know, lowering the alcohol limit. Thanks Joyce.