A FIT PUNISHMENT? LTDA Chairman challenges TfL's approach to suspending taxi drivers

You've probably heard about the uproar from London's taxi drivers facing the threat of suspension over speeding fines. It's a hot topic, and for good reason.

Paul Brennan, Chairman of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), recently brought a critical perspective to this issue in TAXI Newspaper, questioning the fairness of potentially stripping someone of their livelihood over a common traffic infraction.

Is Suspension Over Speeding Justified?

Let's get real here. The thought of losing your job for three months because you were caught speeding is daunting. Brennan points out the severe consequences of such penalties: the financial strain, the mental toll, and the stress it heaps on drivers and their families. It's a heavy price to pay for a mistake that's becoming increasingly easy to make, especially with London's reduced speed limits and the Mayor’s goal to dish out 1 million speeding fines by 2024/25.

The FPN Alternative

A few years back, there was chatter about TfL considering a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) scheme. Brennan revisits this idea, proposing it as a more balanced response to drivers who fail to report their speeding fines on time. An FPN would still hit drivers in the wallet but wouldn't snatch their ability to make a living right from under them. It's about giving a tough lesson without pushing someone to the brink.

The Speeding Fine Dilemma

With Mayor Khan's ambitious target for speeding fines and the widespread implementation of 20 mph zones across London, it's no surprise more taxi drivers are getting caught in the net. This raises a big question: Is the current policy of potential suspension for not reporting a fine within 21 days really in proportion to the offense?

Brennan's comments shine a light on a pressing issue within London's transport sector. The balance between enforcing road safety and ensuring the punishment fits the crime seems to have tipped too far towards the punitive. The suggestion of a FPN system represents a plea for a more humane approach that recognises the significant impact such penalties have on drivers' lives.

It's a debate that's far from over, but Brennan's perspective offers a vital reminder: in the quest for safer roads, we shouldn't overlook the human element. A fine can be a stern reminder, but taking away someone's means to support their family? That's a punishment that might just be too harsh.

Paul Brennan, Chairman of Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), said in TAXI Newspaper: “Is depriving someone of their livelihood for three months and giving them all the worry, financial stress and mental burden that comes with that, really a fit punishment?

“A few years back, TfL were thinking of introducing a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) type scheme. So, I ask, what is a more appropriate course of action for someone who didn't inform TfL quickly enough of what is now a common event on London’s roads, particularly since Mayor Khan set a one million a year target for speeding fines. Is it to take away their livelihood for a few months, which will do real harm to them and their families and cause severe mental anguish? Or should they utilise a FPN system. It will still hurt a bit financially, as you'll need to find money to pay the fine and will also serve as a good reminder not to forget in the future, but crucially it won't cause the horrendous worry and stress, which currently far outweighs the offence for which the punishment is set.”