Zero tolerance over speeding could lead to taxi and private hire drivers losing their license

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National roads policing head, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, who hit the headlines in January 2018 after calling for an end to the buffer-zone afforded to drivers who exceed the speed linit in the UK, has re-iterated his call for a zero tolerence approach to speeding motorists.

Mr Bangham cited 15% of all fatal crashes involved excessive speed in 2015.

At the moment, it is generally accepted, although at any given police services discretion, that drivers are given a 10% plus 2 mph leeway over any given speed limit. Chief Constable Bangham wants that buffer zone scrapped, which will see motorists potentially facing a penalty for going 1 mph over the speed limit.

Mr Banghams views are not necessarily shared by other police service leaders, with a number fearing a public backlash over what is seen as yet another attack on the beleaguered motorist. There are also concerns that a zero tolerance approach would be unenforceable.

Drivers travelling 1 mph over the limit could be faced with being forced to attend a speed awareness course, with those who are deemed to be persistent offenders issued with £100 and 3 penalty points. Under the new proposals, those who exceed the limit by a greater margin than 1 mph could face a court summons and a driving ban.

This could potentially see a multitude of taxi and private hire drivers as well as other industries that rely on road transport banned, given the amount of time that they spend on the road.

Interestingly, any money accrued from speeding fines via a camera, goes directly to the government, whereas money accrued from speed awareness courses go straight to any given police authority, this therefore could bring into question the integrity of the whole proposal as it is almost impossible to avoid, or even notice a 1 mph increase in speed. Therefore the whole proposal could be seen as nothing more than a revenue raising exercise.

There has also been criticism of the plans on safety grounds, with the main concern being that drivers may be glued to their speedometer rather than watching the road ahead and turn good drivers into criminals.

Police chiefs have agreed to review the current guldelines, with a view to implementing some changes.

August 21, 2018 at 01:53PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Police Chief Inspector Arrested In Benidorm After Row With Local Taxi Driver

Police in Benidorm were called to the well-known town centre…but it was nothing to do with the traditional problems associated with British Tourists!

This time, it a chief inspector from one of the National Police units based in Valencia who ended up being detained after an alleged altercation with a taxi driver.

According to a report in the Spanish media, two members of the Local Police were slightly injured, apprehending the chief inspector.

It all kicked off in Calle Ibuza in Benidorm, when three people, including the police chief (who was off duty and not in uniform) tried to get into a Taxi that was off duty. 

The driver told the three he was off duty, but it all got out of hand and the local police were called by the driver.

When they arrived at the scene, they arrested one of the men who was described as being “very upset” at what had taken place. His two companions tried to calm the situation down, but the situation became increasingly heated.

When the Chief Inspector was asked to show some ID, he allegedly refused and threatened to report the five members of the Local Police that had arrived.

He was then arrested and taken to the National Police station in Benidorm, where legal proceedings were put into operation.

Source : RTN news.

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Bargain Disneyland Paris break from £109pp - incl. 1-3nts hotel, park entry & flights/Eurostar

Discover the thrill of Disneyland Paris during some of the most magical times of the year: Disney's Halloween Festival and Disney's Enchanted Christmas! With this package from TourCenter you'll get park tickets, 1, 2 or 3 nights accommodation close to the park, and return flights or Eurostar connections. Departures are available between September and next… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

REVEALED! Full LTDA letter to Lord Cheif Justice seeking investigation into Uber case judge

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It I was revealed yesterday that the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association has called on the Lord Chief Justice to investigate accusations of bias in the decisions of Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot around Uber.

From trade sources, TaxiPoint have acquired the full letter sent to the Royal Courts detailing the need for action.

Trade sources have also highlighted that there are preliminary discussions with regulators Transport for London in regards to a Judicial Review surrounding the London Uber licence appeal case.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the LTDA, said yesterday: “It’s appalling that Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot has been involved in so many cases which have backed Uber, without disclosing her links to the company. “We want the Lord Chief Justice to investigate as a matter of urgency to restore faith in our legal system.”

August 21, 2018 at 12:13PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Opt for a warm winter in Tenerife: 4nts from £297pp incl flights & 5* hotel - 7nts from £477pp

Sack of the grey clouds of winter Pirates and instead go for a mini break in the sunny Canaries. You'll be staying at the top rated 5* Iberostar Grand Mencey, with it's chic design features and amazing outdoor space that you and your travel buddy will love. If you have used all of your holiday… Worlds_End_Gem POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Businessman says Manchester Airport's drop-off charges have added £50 to his monthly Uber bill

A businessman who travels through Manchester Airport every week says the cost of his minicab rides have gone up by £50 a month since new drop-off charges were launched.

Michael Cowell, 34 from Altrincham, travels regularly in his role as a furniture design company director.

Last month, hub bosses introduced ‘kiss and fly’ drop-off charging, with drivers paying £3 for five minutes or £4 for ten minutes - and £25 for stays over that.

The airport has long had a £4 minimum car parking charge in place. But drivers used to avoid paying this by using forecourts to pick up - against airport rules.

However forecourts have now been taken over by the drop-off charging bays - which means drivers picking up passengers now have no choice but to pay.

Michael now claims Uber drivers he has used are passing on both pick up and drop-off charges - plus a premium for waiting time - taking his average journey cost from £17 to £23, and his monthly outlay from around £136 to £184.

And that’s when Michael can even get a cab - he says Uber drivers have started to refuse pick-ups from T3 because of the inconvenience and cost.

He added: “Last week fifteen different Uber drivers cancelled on me and I had to get a black cab for £31 because Uber drivers have started to boycott T3 to avoid the hassle of going through the car park now the forecourts are no-go areas.

“Between Manchester Airport’s policies and Uber I’m much worse off. There must be loads of people in the same boat.”

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

The dad-of-two, whose work takes him to destinations across the UK, Ireland and France, added: “It sounds like small costs but it adds up pretty quickly for someone like me.

“I understand the airport needs to pay for its expansion but this new parking system hasn’t gone down well.

“It’s harder to drop off and it’s harder to pick up because you are now forced through a car park. It’s expensive.

“I’d like the airport to make it work better and review the charges because they’re unfair.”

He added: “I’d like to see the director of the airport comment on this. I’ve got this old-fashioned mentality that the leaders of an airport should get involved when there’s clearly a problem.

“Yet when I complain I just get this stock answer which doesn’t address my complaint.”

A Manchester Airport spokesman said private hire companies were responsible for setting their own fares and that drivers can apply for a discount scheme.

The spokesman added there was a free drop-off option at the Jet Parks 1 which cab drivers can also use to avoid fees.

A Manchester Airport, spokesman, said: “As we developed our new forecourt arrangements, we considered the interests of a significant number of user groups. This included frequent commercial users, such as private hire operators, for whom a discount scheme was developed.

“While it is the decision of each private hire firm whether they pass on this discount, it was our intention in creating the scheme that passengers would be the ultimate beneficiaries. We will continue to monitor the situation.”

An Uber spokesman confirmed drivers were passing on the charges from the airport, but declined to comment further

Source Manchester Evening News.

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Great Greece group getaway in Kefalonia from £201pp - 7nts villa with private pool & flights

Ahoy pirates, grab your squad and head to Greece where you can enjoy your own private pool for a week in the sunshine. The holiday in Kefalonia is just over £200 each based on 5 sharing, however you can travel in smaller party sizes if you wish and we have included the prices below. Holiday… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Angry cabbies set to boycott the Leeds Festival

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Angry cabbies are set to boycott the Leeds Festival after being forced to use the public entrance.

The festival, which takes place between the 24th and 26th August at Bramham Park attracts tens of thousands of people each year, with The Kings of Leon and Fall Out Boy headlining this years festivalIn the past, cabbies have been able to pick up passengers from the public transport entrance, which is accesible via the A1, however, now they are only able to use the red gate entrance, which is a main public entrance, and only accesible via the A64.This means that it could take cabbies up to three hours to enter and leave the area, with fares back to Leeds city centre almost doubling due to the congestion in the area.

Cabbies also fear that if they become trapped by the traffic in the public access area, their ability to earn an income over the three day period could be seriously impinged.

It has been claimed by the owner of one cab company that drivers simply may avoid going to work during the duration of the festival.

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London cabbie produces hilarious yet worrying montage of Uber driver antics

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Inside LEVC: Making of an electric taxi

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Return flights to magical Carcassonne from £25 from 4 UK airports: Autumn dates

Return flights to the magical French city of Carcassonne have dropped, with prices now starting from just £25 return for dates between September and November from selected UK cities. This is a great, cheap, opportunity to see the city many have likened to King's Landing in Game of Thrones. Offer details Direct flights with Ryanair… Captain_Niamh POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

2019 Tunisia bargain from £187pp - incl. flights, 7nt stay in 4* hotel & half board

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Get super cosy this winter in Sussex: Trendy hotel stay from £37.50pppn incl. breakfast

Cuddle up to your favourite Pirate this winter inside one of the White Horse at Chilgrove's cosy rooms this winter. This snuggly 5* accommodation is the perfect winter retreat in the middle of the Sussex countryside. A hearty breakfast awaits you each morning of you stay. Fur babies are also welcome to enjoy this comfy… Worlds_End_Gem POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Costa del Sol 10nts in June 2019 from £375pp: Flights & holiday home with private jacuzzi

There's no such thing as being too early when booking a holiday, which is why we are already planning our 2019 summer holiday, and we fell in love with this offer in the Costa del Sol for June next year. Stay 10 nights in your very own holiday home with private jacuzzi from just £375… Captain_Niamh POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Pop over to Poland: Gdansk flights from just £19rtn

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Cheltenham 4* Malmaison stay from £49.50pppn - incl. Christmas & 2019 dates

Pirates can now take a charming staycation in Cheltenham, close to the Cotswolds, from just £49.50 per person, per night, based on 2 sharing -- including peak season dates around Christmas! This 4* Malmaison hotel is just 5 minutes from the city centre along the Montpellier Gardens. For an extra touch of luxury, upgrade your… Captain_Niamh POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

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All inclusive beachside bliss: 7nts in Mexico from £752pp incl. flights, new hotel & more

Reckon you can squeeze some more sun out of your summer? Well, so do we! That's why we're bringing you this deal to Mexico, departing in October, to the new beachfront resort of Riu Dunamar. Not only can you enjoy the all inclusive basis surrounded by modern 4* surroundings, you can also wander down to… Worlds_End_Gem POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Get the crew to Greece: 7nts in autumn from £271pp incl. flights & villa w/ private pool - sleeps 4

Grab a bunch of mates and say "see ya" to the impending winter with an autumn escape to Greece. Stay in you very own villa with private pool, over looking the sea, for a week. The temperatures in Rhodes at this time of year are still comfortably in the 20s, so whether you still have… Worlds_End_Gem POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Luxury Asia island 10nt escape from £694pp - incl. 5* resort, direct flights, bags & breakfast

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