Editorial: Taxing issue of taxi safety

OPINION: Tony Brosnan's eyes tell you all you need to know.

The pain and fear caused by callous thugs who left the Taranaki taxi driver to die in the boot of his car radiates from the sad pools that are his hazel-coloured eyes.

His is the unofficial face of the fight for safer conditions for taxi drivers, if only because he was fortunate to survive and we can still read the harrowing story of his frightening confinement and brutal treatment in those expressive windows.

In the aftermath of yet another attack on a taxi driver and another death, Mr Brosnan has joined others in calling for a review of safety measures in taxis and, presumably, Government support for their implementation.

Mr Brosnan's fears and concerns are genuine and his call for support and scrutiny understandable, but it is worth asking what the taxi industry is doing to protect its vulnerable employees?

Should the Government, and by definition that means all of us, be expected to stump up the funds to ensure employees of a private firm are protected in performing their duties? Is it not right and proper to expect an employer putting an employee into a potentially dangerous situation to take all steps to ensure they are as safe as possible?

If the employer is the Government, fair enough, but private industry must recognise its responsibilities and act accordingly, even if that means the end-product becomes more expensive to compensate.

The idea of taxi firms showing some initiative and paying for cameras to help protect their drivers is not new.

Nelson City Taxis did just that six months ago in response to unruly behaviour by passengers and punters running off without paying. The cameras cost $630 per taxi but fare dodgers have been halved. And company general manager Neil Allan says the cameras make his staff feel safer.

The total cost of $23,000 was taken on by the company and will be covered over time.

That's good business and a sensible approach to worker safety. And if that means fares rising by a few dollars, then that too must be accepted as the public paying its share towards the continuation of an essential service. Once again, unfortunately, it is the many who must pay for the heartlessness and thuggery of the few.

A fact of life, it seems.

If Mr Brosnan is right and nervous taxi drivers are stashing iron bars and other weapons under the front seat, that makes it even more important that the companies take responsibility and move to ensure the safety of both driver and passenger.

The Government should not be the only answer.

- © Fairfax NZ News