Post by lisas84 on Dec 16, 2009 9:46:33 GMT -5
In today's News Transcript, there is an in-depth article about new taxi regulations.
Personally, I feel it's about time. I had a heart-stopping moment this summer when I really thought a green taxicab was going to plow right into me. Thank God he stopped short after he realized he blew the stop sign.
Here is the article:
Freehold to tighten regulations on taxicabs
Councilman says some taxi drivers have acted in a 'reckless & aggressive' manner
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
Freehold Borough officials have introduced a revised ordinance governing taxis that will enhance safety and address insurance concerns, according to Councilman George Schnurr.
The ordinance was introduced by the Borough Council on Dec. 7 and is scheduled for a public hearing and possible vote for adoption on Dec. 21. If the ordinance is adopted on Dec. 21, it will become law in Freehold Borough on Jan. 1.
Schnurr said he has heard a lot of complaints from residents about taxi drivers in Freehold Borough.
"Their driving has become a major public concern," the councilman said, adding, "Taxicab drivers are notorious risk-takers, reckless and aggressive. With the pressure to get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible in order to maximize revenue, cab drivers often jeopardize a passenger's safety with dangerous high-speed driving. The consequences are at least serious, if not disastrous."
Schnurr said even taxi drivers who are safety conscious can be affected by long work hours and the constant exposure to traffic on the roads.
He said input on how to address the issue has come from council members, taxi owners, Police Chief Mitch Roth, Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins and Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina.
Schnurr discussed the changes in the taxi ordinance that he said will better serve the public interest. He said a taxi owner's insurance policy must be issued by an insurance company subject to the rules and regulations of the state of New Jersey and not by a risk retention group, which is an owner-controlled insurance company.
"A risk retention group allows a taxi company to write its own liability insurance. As such, the taxi companies have control over risk and litigation management issues. This will no longer be allowed," Schnurr said.
Schnurr said no taxi owner's insurance policy may contain a radius of operation endorsement that limits coverage to a specific area of operation. He said there was a loophole in taxi insurance that allowed the endorsement limiting insurance coverage to a specific geographic area.
"In the past, taxi drivers were required by insurance regulations to advise their passengers of such limitations before accepting passengers for trips that would go beyond the radius of operation for which coverage was provided," Schnurr said.
The councilman said he did not think that type of conversation took place on many occasions.
In another requirement, taxi drivers will have to show proof they have completed a defensive driving course within the last two years.
Taxi drivers will also have to pass a written test to determine that a driver has knowledge of Freehold Borough's taxi ordinance.
"The test will also have a geography component," Schnurr added. "The taxi drivers should be able to identify common points of interest on a map such as supermarkets and area schools."
Schnurr said the council members believe the ordinance will increase public safety and accountability from taxi owners.
Council President Marc Le Vine said, "We believe this protects the interest of the residents who are passengers and anyone else who comes in contact on the road with taxis. Our concerns are that taxi owners are operating in a way so as to protect the public interest. After this is done, it will be better for everyone involved."
Personally, I feel it's about time. I had a heart-stopping moment this summer when I really thought a green taxicab was going to plow right into me. Thank God he stopped short after he realized he blew the stop sign.
Here is the article:
Freehold to tighten regulations on taxicabs
Councilman says some taxi drivers have acted in a 'reckless & aggressive' manner
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
Freehold Borough officials have introduced a revised ordinance governing taxis that will enhance safety and address insurance concerns, according to Councilman George Schnurr.
The ordinance was introduced by the Borough Council on Dec. 7 and is scheduled for a public hearing and possible vote for adoption on Dec. 21. If the ordinance is adopted on Dec. 21, it will become law in Freehold Borough on Jan. 1.
Schnurr said he has heard a lot of complaints from residents about taxi drivers in Freehold Borough.
"Their driving has become a major public concern," the councilman said, adding, "Taxicab drivers are notorious risk-takers, reckless and aggressive. With the pressure to get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible in order to maximize revenue, cab drivers often jeopardize a passenger's safety with dangerous high-speed driving. The consequences are at least serious, if not disastrous."
Schnurr said even taxi drivers who are safety conscious can be affected by long work hours and the constant exposure to traffic on the roads.
He said input on how to address the issue has come from council members, taxi owners, Police Chief Mitch Roth, Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins and Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina.
Schnurr discussed the changes in the taxi ordinance that he said will better serve the public interest. He said a taxi owner's insurance policy must be issued by an insurance company subject to the rules and regulations of the state of New Jersey and not by a risk retention group, which is an owner-controlled insurance company.
"A risk retention group allows a taxi company to write its own liability insurance. As such, the taxi companies have control over risk and litigation management issues. This will no longer be allowed," Schnurr said.
Schnurr said no taxi owner's insurance policy may contain a radius of operation endorsement that limits coverage to a specific area of operation. He said there was a loophole in taxi insurance that allowed the endorsement limiting insurance coverage to a specific geographic area.
"In the past, taxi drivers were required by insurance regulations to advise their passengers of such limitations before accepting passengers for trips that would go beyond the radius of operation for which coverage was provided," Schnurr said.
The councilman said he did not think that type of conversation took place on many occasions.
In another requirement, taxi drivers will have to show proof they have completed a defensive driving course within the last two years.
Taxi drivers will also have to pass a written test to determine that a driver has knowledge of Freehold Borough's taxi ordinance.
"The test will also have a geography component," Schnurr added. "The taxi drivers should be able to identify common points of interest on a map such as supermarkets and area schools."
Schnurr said the council members believe the ordinance will increase public safety and accountability from taxi owners.
Council President Marc Le Vine said, "We believe this protects the interest of the residents who are passengers and anyone else who comes in contact on the road with taxis. Our concerns are that taxi owners are operating in a way so as to protect the public interest. After this is done, it will be better for everyone involved."
