This site is set up to name and shame those government bodies and large companies who refuse to take action on drivers that use their mobiles phones. The body that I have issue with a the moment is the Public Carriage Office (PCO). On many occasions I have reported Black Cabs that I see driving while on the phone. I get a polite but we cant do anything. Surely a body that licences Black Cabs should not allow their drivers to drive around endangering their passengers and other road users.
See below the responses I received after I made a complaint against a driver using his mobile phone while driving.
 |
 |
Public Carriage Office (PCO) and Drivers on Phones
Clearly you can see this cab driver using his mobile phone while driving and with passengers. After all the noise we hear about how safe black cabs are. This clearly shows that riding in a black cab is not always safe, the driver only needs to look away for one second for a tragic accident to happen.The response that the Public Carriage Office (PCO) gave was inadequate and very unhelpful. It is their not our problem approach that has prompted me to build this site.
My Complaint to the Public Carriage Office (PCO)
Hi I would like to make a complaint about one of your licensed drivers who was using a mobile phone to text someone while he was driving and carrying passengers. Not only is this now illegal it is also very dangerous to other road users and pedestrians.This incident happened at xxxxxx on the 28.01.2009 at 1.09pm
The cabs registration number is LL04 XAM PCO
5 digit number is 23361
Please let me know if you require any more information and keep me updated of any outcome.
Public Carriage Office Response To My Complaint
Thank you for your e-mail dated 4 February 2009. The Public Carriage Office (PCO) is the licensing authority for all London taxis. All Hackney Carriage drivers are self-employed. Therefore, the PCO can only deal with offences that are contrary to the Hackney Carriage Acts and Orders. Although we are unable to take any action against taxi drivers with regards to using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving, we do remind the driver involved of his responsibilities under the Highway Code and that the Licensing Authority expects professional drivers to demonstrate a high standard of driving at all times. I am grateful that you have brought this matter to out attention, but the fact remains that this is a matter for the police to investigate or your local authority. I trust this has answered your questions clearly.Kind regards Complaints Support
My reply
Thank you for your prompt reply, however I feel that you have not taken my complaint seriously. Just by informing a driver that he is breaking the law and risking his passengers and other members of the public is not enough.I see at least 3 of your licensed drivers using the phone while in their cabs a week and feel as a licensing body you have a duty to the public to ensure that your drivers conduct themselves within the law and more importantly safely to themselves and other road users. I would like to know if this driver denied that he was using his phone while driving or admitted that he had. Please could you also provide me with the disciplinary code that you use when treating this type of complaint.
Public Carriage Office Response
In answer to your further questions. As my previous e-mail dated 29 January 2009, the driver concerned has been made aware of your complaint. Therefore, his comments were not requested from this office as we cannot take any action against him. The Public Carriage Office (PCO) is the licensing authority for all London taxis. We can only deal with offences that are contrary to the Hackney Carriage Acts and Orders which drivers have to abide by. A copy of the Hackney Carriage Acts can be found at most local library's. I am sorry the PCO cannot help you any further with this matter.Kind regards Complaints Support
Questions for the Public Carridge Office (PCO)
- What is it you actually do?
- Why could they not provide me with a copy of Hackney Carriage Acts - without me going to the library?
- Do they not consider driving while using a mobile phone as dangerous ?
- Do they not want to fully protect the safety of those travelling in black cabs ?
- And why is it when you report this to the police they give you a run around and will not take the complaint?
- When I asked if the black cab driver admitted that he was using his phone, why didnt the Public Carriage Office not even ask him the question?????????