DRIVE NOW October/November 2021

QUEENSLAND news
A MOMENT OF ANGER JUST ISN’T WORTH IT
Be safe;
Be professional;
There is no excuse for
abuse.
Everyone involved with Queensland's personalised
transport system – passengers, drivers and rank staff
– is entitled to either a journey or a job free of verbal
and physical abuse and intimidation.
TMR expects that passengers, drivers and rank staff
will behave respectfully to one another. This will
further contribute to our state's reputation of having
a first-class, professional, personalised transport
industry that is safe, sustainable and accessible.
There are likely to be individual consequences for
abusive behaviour, and it will also affect other
industries, such as tourism and hospitality, if
Queensland's reputation as a safe, fun, familyfriendly
destination is put at risk by careless words or
actions.
Instances of
illegal behaviour
such as assault
or physical
abuse should
be reported to
the Queensland
Police Service
without delay.
For taxis, this
will ensure that
relevant security
camera recordings of incidents may be retrieved
expeditiously and possibly used as evidence. For
other booked hire services, it will mean that
information can be provided to the Police while
memories are still fresh.
In the case of verbal abuse and intimidation – which
includes being threatened, sworn at or racially
abused - passengers and drivers are encouraged by
TMR to notify the relevant booking entity as soon as
possible after the incident.
Passengers abusing drivers and rank staff face
potential police action. Drivers who abuse
passengers or rank staff may face disaffiliation,
suspension or
cancellation
of their Driver
Authorisation,
and possibly even
criminal charges.
Rank staff who
abuse drivers
or passengers
face potential
dismissal and
potential charges
laid by the Police.
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
October/November 2021
29