CCTV IN BLACK TAXIS: A quick fix to protect drivers from rising false claims?

Amid growing concerns over the treatment of taxi drivers facing false allegations, a spotlight has been placed on the role of CCTV in resolving disputes quickly and effectively.

TaxiPoint reached out to ACSS, a key provider of Transport for London (TfL)-approved taxi CCTV systems, to explore how this technology could assist drivers in defending themselves against unfounded accusations.

CCTV is being seen more as a valuable tool in safeguarding drivers from false accusations. The system’s functionality makes it easy to search for footage by date and time, streamlining the process of gathering evidence if required. Additionally, the inclusion of location tracking allows drivers to verify their whereabouts during any given incident.

A spokesperson from ACSS said: “CCTV is a great way to protect drivers from false accusations. In many cases, our systems have shown clear evidence that drivers acted properly when later accused of misconduct. CCTV systems approved by Transport for London (TfL) must store at least 28 days of footage, giving drivers enough time to review incidents that happened weeks ago.

“These systems also have a search function that lets you find footage by date and time. This makes it easy to go back and prove what happened during an incident. We also offer location tracking, so you can show exactly where your cab was when an incident took place. This helps back up your side of the story.

“Using CCTV, false allegations can be resolved quickly—sometimes in a week instead of months—by reviewing the footage and data.

“We’ve installed over 1,000 systems in black cabs and private hire vehicles across London. The installation takes less than an hour and includes both front-facing and internal cameras.”

London black cab drivers have faced a rise in complaints being lodged with TfL, raising concerns about the speed and fairness of how cases are handled. Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), flagged the issue in TAXI newspaper, pointing out that some drivers are now being subjected to ‘Fitness to Licence’ reviews before any thorough investigation takes place.

One recent case involved a driver wrongfully accused of sexual assault by a passenger. The driver, who had remained inside his vehicle throughout the journey, was only cleared when the LTDA legal team retrieved CCTV footage from the pick-up and drop-off points. This footage, combined with journey timings, proved the accusation false and led to the swift discontinuation of the case.

With such incidents on the rise, the potential for CCTV to protect drivers is becoming increasingly clear.