New Zealand Taxi Federation calls for cameras after another attack on cabbie

HAMILTON - The New Zealand Taxi Federation (NZTF) has reiterated that security cameras must be made compulsory in their vehicles after yet another attack on a driver.

According to Stuff.co.nz, a taxi driver of African origin was attacked in Hamilton by four people who boarded his vehicle from outside a bakery on Victoria Street on Saturday.

“He’s then driven them in his taxi to Moore Street near Forest Lake where a man in the rear seat has put a knife to his throat and demanded money,” Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton said.

“Fearing for his life the driver accelerated into a driveway and began tooting his horn while at the same time grabbing the knife. As a result of this he suffered cuts to one of his hands,” he added.

The taxi was not fitted with a security camera, but NZTF Executive Director Tim Reddish said that taxi companies had been holding off buying any equipment until specifications were confirmed in the new rule.

“There’s more and more of these [attacks] happening and it’s making the need for [cameras] more evident,” Reddish said.

Earlier, in an effort to improve safety following the fatal knife attack on Indian origin taxi driver Hiren Mohini, authorities had said that security cameras would have to be fitted on taxis in large towns and cities from next year.

New Zealand Transport Minister Steven Joyce had said that the cost of installing and operating the cameras would be borne by taxi companies and drivers.

He said that the Cabinet had considered the issue and decided to mandate cameras in taxis.

Measures to tighten telecommunications requirements for taxis have also been approved to ensure drivers have around the clock communications support.

Since 2008 there had been a number of serious attacks on taxi drivers, two of which resulted in death. (ANI)