Taxicab authority starts over on rules for cameras in cabs

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

The Nevada Taxicab Authority, experiencing deja vu in its efforts to develop regulations for cameras in cabs, started the process anew Monday after being told by a legislative committee that audio recordings accompanying videotaping could trample the rights of unsuspecting customers.

The board that regulates Clark County's more than 1,600 taxis introduced a proposed new regulation and solicited reaction from cab company owners, drivers and union representatives.

The new proposal, prompted by the Nevada Legislature's rejection of a regulation adopted in October and initially scheduled to take effect in April, still allows audio recording, but warns that audio capabilities "must comply with all applicable state and federal laws."

About 60 percent of the county's cabs have camera systems with audio recording components installed, with industry leaders Yellow Checker Star and Whittlesea Bell Transportation putting most of them in before state lawmakers voted to reject the earlier approved regulations.

In Monday's meeting -- a workshop session for board members to solicit comments on the new proposed regulation -- the arguments for and against approval were predictably similar to those gathered last fall. The same cast of characters presented the same pros and cons about cameras, audio recording and alternative security measures that could be tried.

Nearly everyone present acknowledged the need for camera surveillance to protect drivers. But parties were split on the audio recording issue, with company owners generally favoring it -- because audio records also help them monitor driver performance -- the American Civil Liberties Union opposing it, saying such recordings violate the privacy of passengers and the rights of drivers. Drivers generally are split on the audio issue.

The new proposed regulation outlines specifications for security surveillance systems to be installed and how systems are expected to be activated and maintained.

The regulation spells out that "data may only be accessed for criminal investigations ... an investigation into a motor vehicle accident involving the taxicab or an investigation conducted by the certificate holder concerning driver misconduct." The regulation also says a person "shall not sell or offer to sell or distribute for profit, any data recorded by a surveillance system installed in a taxicab."

Cabs with surveillance systems also are required to have signs inside and outside the vehicle saying a system is in place.

In an effort to avoid another confrontation with lawmakers, the Taxicab Authority board is asking the state's attorney general to offer an opinion on the proposed regulation. But because that process is expected to take time, the board isn't expected to take up the camera regulation at its regularly scheduled meeting July 26. Instead, the matter is expected to be revisited Aug. 23.