THE SAFETY of female taxi drivers is the focus of an event at the Town Hall next week.
The event takes place on March 20, and Sinn Fein Councillor Debbie Coyle has expressed concern over a number of situations she has been made aware of in recent months whereby the safety of female taxi drivers here has been put in danger.
“It has recently been brought to my attention that female taxi drivers within the county have experienced situations that have left them worried for their safety, particularly when they are driving male passengers to their destination and where too much alcohol or other substances have been taken by their passenger,” she explained.
“Aggressiveness or other inappropriate behaviour by passengers is unacceptable and often leaves the driver feeling vulnerable and threatened. I have been made aware that in the last two months there were situations that thankfully did not develop but nonetheless left the drivers very shaken, everyone has the right to be protected from this sort of behaviour.”
Councillor Coyle who sits on the local Policing Community Safety Partnership has organised an initiative to raise awareness around this worrying trend and also to fully inform drivers and taxi firm owners of what safety measures are available and what can be done to ensure the ongoing safety of their staff.
The information evening will be held on Thursday March 20 in the town hall at 6pm and is open to all women who work or are thinking of working in the taxi business.
“Taxi drivers, both male and female provide an invaluable service to our citizens in Enniskillen and across Fermanagh, providing safe journeys home at affordable prices, also, the service helps reduce the numbers of those foolish and reckless enough to be tempted to drink and drive. They should be respected and like other workers and have the right to feel safe while working.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere