South Derbyshire taxi drivers petition over tinted windows rejected over fears for vulnerable passengers
The council has said it's made the move to safeguard vulnerable adults and children at risk of exploitation
Last updated 31st Jan 2022
A row was broken out in South Derbyshire over a new policy on window tinting which it's claimed will leave taxi drivers losing hundred of pounds.
A petition that was signed by over a hundred drivers was rejected last week- meaning windows will have to let in at least 70% light.
The council says it's made the move to safeguard vulnerable adults and children at risk of exploitation.
However taxi driver Qasim Ali, of iCars, who led the petition, claimed there was no confirmed evidence that tinted windows in taxis were the cause of or hindered any major safeguarding incidents, such as child exploitation.
Mr Ali said drivers were often having to spend between £350 and £1,000 to change the windows so that their vehicles meet the tint policy.
Councillor Trevor Southerd, deputy leader of the authority, said: “I have a lot of empathy but we have to urge caution on the part of vulnerable people.”
He asked that applicants seeking to become licensed private hire vehicle drivers be made abundantly aware of the tinted window policy before they purchase a vehicle.
Councillor Steve Taylor said he wanted the policy made "as obvious as possible."