Taxi driver irregularities spike 120%

The taxi industry is facing a surge in irregularities, with authorities detecting a staggering 121% increase in cases during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year, raising concerns over public safety and the need for stricter enforcement measures.

The most concerning issue was a 106.94% rise in refusal to transport, with 149 cases recorded, more than double the 72 cases of the previous year.

According to data from the Public Security Police Force (PSP), the number of irregularities committed by taxi drivers jumped from 194 cases in the first half of 2023 to 430 cases in the same period this year.

Other irregularities included 11 cases of overcharging, a slight increase of 22.22%, and 270 “other irregularities” that saw an annual surge of 138.94%. Authorities also detected 55 cases of unauthorized transport services, double the number from the first half of 2023.

The spike in taxi-related issues has coincided with a broader increase in road safety concerns.

The first half of the year saw 7,666 traffic accidents, an 18.32% rise compared to the same period last year.

Pedestrian safety has also emerged as a significant problem, with 4,614 cases of pedestrians crossing the road without observing traffic rules, a nearly fourfold increase from the 926 cases recorded in the first half of 2023.

Authorities remain committed to addressing the growing concerns surrounding irregularities committed by taxi drivers and ensuring the safety and well-being of all road users in Macau.

The PSP’s report further outlined various other infractions, including illegal parking, mobile phone use while driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, failure to yield, and disregard for traffic signs.

Notably, there was a significant increase in cases related to not obeying traffic signs, which rose by 262.8%.

In total, the first half of the year in Macau witnessed 367,641 infractions related to the Road Traffic Law and the Highway Code Regulation, resulting in fines totaling 98.52 million patacas. This represents a 19.98% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Victoria Chan