TAXI drivers in Lancaster and Morecambe will have to do follow a new code of conduct councillors agreed this week.

City councillors on the licensing committee approved the code after a number of complaints about taxi drivers were received.

One firm failed to pick up holidaymakers from Manchester Airport and there have been a number of complaints that the safety checks on vehicles are inadequate. One taxi owner, Keith Raby, wrote to the council complaining that some drivers had been found drunk while driving and argued that the licensing department's didn't police the trade seriously enough - spending just 20 hours a week on it. He added: "Drivers have been stopped by the police and subsequently found to have been driving the taxi while under the influence of alcohol. Where is the safety of the passenger under these circumstances?"

The code of conduct will mean private hire drivers will have to put a reasonable amount of luggage in the taxi, attend punctually and search the vehicle for anything left behind after the passenger has left. Hackney drivers - ie drivers with taxis registered with the council who can pick up fares on the street - will also have to follow those rules. They will also have to clearly display their badges and clearly display their 'for hire' sign.

The code of conduct has already been adopted in a number of other cities and towns across the country.

Officers and councillors approved the code on Thursday, August 26. They will now consult with the main taxi-drivers associations and individual taxi drivers.

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