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‘Who's taking you home?' warning to Christmas revellers |
Party-goers celebrating during the festive season are being urged to check who’s driving them home in a warning from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
The council’s Licensing Team is advising Christmas revellers to ensure vehicles taking them to and from their nights out are licensed by the council. The warning comes as the council wants to make people aware of the dangers of illegal, unlicensed vehicles and people posing as taxi drivers and private hire drivers.
There are two types of licensed vehicles: taxis and private hire cars. Taxis are recognisable by their distinctive design, a ‘taxi’ sign on the roof and a council-issued licence plate on the back. Taxis are generally found at ranks but can also be hailed in the street when their roof light is illuminated or they can be pre-booked.
Private hire cars must always be pre-booked through a licensed operator. They must also display licence plates front and back and have a ‘No Booking, No Ride’ sticker on the side doors. If this identification is not visible then people are urged NOT get into the car as it won't be licensed and therefore will not be insured to take them home putting them at risk..
The council has issued the following tips to help people stay safe when organising transport to and from festivities:
- Book in advance. Demand for transport is high during the festive period. Pre-Booking in advance means you are guaranteed a vehicle at a time that is convenient for you.
- Try to pre-agree the fare at the time of booking so you have enough money left over at the end of the evening.
- Advise the company if your journey will involve more than one pick up or drop off location.
- Check your vehicle to make sure it is licensed by the council by looking for the licence plates and door stickers.
- If you have pre-booked, make sure when your driver arrives he asks for you by name or knows your destination. These are details he should have been told by the operator if he is your designated driver. The driver should also display his licence badge.
- If you have forgotten to pre-book a private hire vehicle you may still find an available Taxi but first ensure you use a designated taxi rank for example in Basingstoke at the railway station, Festival Place or New Road, or hail a taxi in the street if the ‘taxi’ roof light is illuminated.
Licensing committee Chairman Cllr Rita Burgess said: “We want to ensure people get home safely this Christmas. By booking in advance for a private hire vehicle or making sure you use a licensed taxi you can be sure the driver and car have complied with strict standards.
“It is illegal for private hire drivers to tout for business and accept passengers unless the journey has been pre-booked. Do not be tempted get into any vehicle that is waiting outside a pub or club unless you have checked that it is the vehicle you have already booked. Never get into a vehicle that has no council identification as this will not be a licensed vehicle."
Anyone noticing anything suspicious should inform the council or the police immediately. For further information on taxi and private hire licences, contact the Licensing Team on 01256 845374.
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