In the lead up to the busiest time of the year, the Commissioner’s Authorised Officers (AO’s) continue to focus on compliance across NSW, ensuring drivers are focused on safety and fair fares, especially as NSW experiences increased traffic, an influx of tourists and more people out celebrating the holiday season.
Across the week 1 – 8 December:
- 58 breaches were identified
- 33 Improvement Notices were issued
Observations from on-street
The Commissioner’s Authorised Officers have made some observations regarding unsafe driver behaviours this past week, especially in relation to large events. Service providers should note these actions, act upon them and communicate with drivers through their channels.
In major event areas such as Sydney Olympic Park, Moore Park precinct and Randwick Racecourse specifically, AOs are seeing taxis avoiding using taxi zones and queuing in other areas, resulting in significant traffic congestion and a risk to safety.
On Moore Park Road, AOs are seeing an increase of both taxis and rideshare vehicles using bicycle lanes to drop off and pick up passengers – this behaviour poses a high risk to not only cyclists but also passengers and drivers exiting vehicles.
Finally, AOs have noticed a significant increase in traffic congestion within the CBD due to taxis and rideshare vehicles stopping to pick up and drop off passengers illegally. Key areas:
a. Pitt St
b. Market St
c. Bridge St
d. Castlereagh St
e. Carrington St
Drivers stopping in the CBD to illegally drop off and pick up passengers causing major congestion in the CBD, and a risk to safety.
Weekly wrap up
Top offences identified
| Driver related offence | |
|---|---|
| Clause 20(2) Hire vehicles ensure retroreflective indicates is a hire vehicle. | 12 |
| Clause 77(1) Driver to accept hiring | 9 |
| Section 76(5) Fares order | 8 |
| Improvement notices | |
|---|---|
| Clause 18(1) Approved security camera systems and safeguards - taxis in working order | 12 |
| Clause 9 Vehicle maintenance (worn tyres) | 10 |
| Clause 14(2) Not contravene fare calculation devices - taxis fares and figure must be clearly visible | 9 |