Tougher regulations for taxi drivers defeated in Senate

Friday, April 27, 2001 | 10:44 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill that would impose tougher regulations on the taxicab and limousine industries in Clark County was defeated in the Senate Thursday night.

Among other restrictions, Senate Bill 270 would have required that cabdrivers be able to read and speak English and a cap would be placed on the number of limousines on the streets until the Transportation Services Agency developed a new allocation system.

Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, said the taxi business was being "destroyed" by the large number of limousines in service.

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, questioned why such minor things as prohibiting a taxi driver from leaving his keys in the vehicle were in the bill. He suggested that might be covered by company policy or regulation.

But O'Donnell said a tragic incident occurred recently at McCarran International Airport -- a tourist was a passenger in a cab that was hijacked. The tourist, Joan Lewis of Maryland, jumped from the vehicle and was hit by another vehicle. She is listed in serious condition at University Medical Center. A Nevada Highway Patrolman was critically injured during the high-speed chase involving the suspect.

The bill imposed new fees for background checks, medical exams and cleanliness and courtesy rules.

If a driver failed to follow the rules he could be fined up to $100 for the first offense and $200 for a second offense, in addition to a three-day suspension.

The vote on the bill was 12-8. It still required a two-thirds vote because it imposed new fees to get permits for drivers.