Greater Orlando Limousine Association Says Unlicensed Commercial Drivers Are Endangering Orlando's Travelers - Calls on Mayor for Greater Code Enforcement

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 20 -- Citing risks that include the potential danger of uninsured accidents, the Greater Orlando Limousine Association (GOLA), the largest membership organization of limousine operators serving Central Florida, has called on the City's Mayor Buddy Dyer to enact stringent code enforcement against unlicensed commercial drivers who are "putting Orlando's travelers unknowingly at risk."

"A growing number of unlicensed commercial drivers, many of whom are based in cities as far away as Miami are offering their services in and around the City of Orlando and Orange County without any fear of code enforcement, at the great risk of unsuspecting passengers," said GOLA President Mike McKenzie.

"I urge you to enact legislation that will ensure code enforcement against unlicensed commercial drivers endangering both residents and visitors to our city as well as undermining the legitimate businesses of our members -- who are fully licensed and insured to properly serve the public. With the current heightened security levels at the nations' airports, this is now even more important than ever," McKenzie wrote in a letter to the Mayor.

"Our primary concern is the safety of the unsuspecting passenger. The integrity of our industry and the overall safety of the riding public are being compromised. There is no doubt that if this is to continue unchecked, it could have a disastrous impact on several fronts," McKenzie stated.

  Listing these potential consequences McKenzie continued:

   1. The safety of travelers in unlicensed commercial vehicles is in
      jeopardy because in the event of an accident they are uninsured and
      unprotected against any damages.
   2. The livelihood of our members is equally at risk since they cannot
      match the unrealistic rates that unlicensed and unpermitted drivers
      are able to post, since they carry none of the costs of running a
      legitimate commercial vehicle transportation company such as licenses
      and insurances.

"Our members are fully licensed companies who operate within the constraints of the law. We are being penalized for operating legally. This is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. Members of GOLA have seen a significant reduction in their businesses since these 'rogue drivers' have been making their way into town," McKenzie concluded.

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