A new tuc-tuc service introduced in Brighton and due to be rolled out in cities across the UK could be putting passengers at risk. That’s the view of Taxiwise, the nationwide campaign for the safer use of taxis, after the service was launched last month.

Twelve of the novelty vehicles, popular in India, are now available to carry passengers around the city and are touted as being fun for passengers and good for the environment.

However Taxiwise, which wants to see minimum standards set for the type and safety of any vehicle used as a taxi, argues that the vehicles offer practically no protection in the event of an accident and represent a backwards step in the standard of vehicle available for passengers.

“It is of particular note that one of the main safety features on the imported vehicles highlighted at the launch was the inclusion of driver and passenger seatbelts,” said Celeste Clarke, spokesperson for Taxiwise.

“Seatbelts have been a legal requirement for more than 20 years. Every vehicle has to have them. If that is being highlighted as a main safety point, maybe questions should be asked about the appropriateness of these vehicles for English roads.

“They offer little or no protection in the event of an accident, so passengers could be at risk of serious injury, and they are not accessible to wheelchair users.

“I would also like to know if drivers have to go through the same standard police checks that ordinary taxi drivers do.

“The introduction of these vehicles to our streets is a step backwards in terms of the quality of vehicle that passengers can use. We would like to see any vehicle licensed to carry passengers meeting a strict set of safety an accessibility standards, along the same lines as the black cabs do in London.”

Dominic Ponniah from TucTuc Limited commented; “The vehicles, as required by the terms of our license, have all been modified to comply with UK safety requirements. These modifications include the addition of side impact protection, roll-bars and seatbelts.”

He added, “We have taken every precaution to ensure the safety of our passengers and drivers whilst in the vehicles. Further to this each of our drivers have undergone extensive training in the vehicles prior to taking to the road.”

The company says that various improvements have been made to each TucTuc which include the replacement of brake pipes, anti-rolls bars, seat belts and side impact protection. All vehicles have been converted to CNG — Compressed Natural Gas — to make them more environmentally friendly.