Only $500 to Protect Taxi Drivers’ Lives
11 August 2017 - Blue Bubble calls on the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to put the safety of drivers and
passengers first, and not grant exemptions for security cameras in all small passenger service vehicles.
A taxi driver has been seriously assaulted in Wellington during the early hours of Wednesdaymorning. The driver was
kidnapped and locked in the boot of his car while the vehicle was driven around Wellington for hours.
Fortunately, the vehicle had a correctly installed security camera that, despite the camera being removed from the car,
could supply images for the Police. This has led to Police arresting two men in relation to the offending, who will
appear in Wellington District Court today.
“The facts are clear – security cameras save lives and enable offenders to be brought to justice. They should be in all
small passenger service vehicles,” says Blue Bubble Chief Executive Bob Wilkinson.
The amended Land Transport Rules allow the NZTA to grant security camera exemptions to small passenger vehicles
operating in sixteen of New Zealand’s largest towns and cities.
“We call on NZTA to consider the safety of both drivers and passengers before deciding to grant an exemption. We
strongly believe that all small passenger vehicles must be fitted with a security camera.
“You cannot put a price on a life. We do not agree that there is a considerable cost to businesses of installing
security cameras, when they can now be purchased and installed for around $500. The cost is justifiable to ensure public
safety.
“Exemptions should only be granted where there is a low risk to the driver and passenger, such as a dedicated wedding
limousine.
“The fact is that security cameras work. Since the installation of security cameras in 2011, there have been no further
taxi driver fatalities in New Zealand. Without these security cameras, we do not know what would have been the case.
“Our thoughts are with the driver who suffered in this recent attack, and wish him a speedy recovery.”
ENDS