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New rules on breaks could ruin us, say cab drivers
17.08.09
Black cab drivers today warned that proposals to limit their working hours would force them out of business.
Road safety campaign group Brake has called on the Government to make taxi and minicab drivers take regular breaks and for their working hours to be regulated.
Lorry drivers are already subject to strict working time rules and the campaigners say a similar law for cabbies could save hundreds of lives. Some MPs are also calling for ministers to look into regulating drivers' working conditions.
But taxi drivers told the Standard they are already struggling to make ends meet in the recession and such a law would put them out of business.
Mark Phillips, 47, from Basildon, said: “If this happens I will go and give my badge back. It would finish the job completely.”
Ron Stevens, 44, from Lewisham, said: “I think it will be the end of the cab trade. Most cab drivers are sensible in that they would not want to work on past what they are capable of doing.”
Brake says 300 people are killed every year in Britain by motorists falling asleep at the wheel. The charity, which advises drivers to take a rest every two hours on long journeys, says the current lack of legislation for taxis is dangerous.
But cabbies say they regularly take breaks and do not pose a danger by working long hours.
The Department for Transport said drivers had a duty not to drive while tired, but there were no plans for regulation.
Reader views (11)
What about reps in their fords driving up and the motorways alday and night,or whitevan men,or how do you fill about jrn doctors and nurses working double shifts who are looking after your love ones ?
This is just another black cab driver which hunt.
- Jimmy,, stock,essex
JL London.
The private hire cabs use satnav, try using one of those and you'll see they don't know where they are going AND are just as expensive (more expensive at night) as Black Cabs.
- Pm, London
A lot of peeps avoid going to London simply because they need to re-mortgage their home to pay the cab fare.
Rip-off UK is alive and well.
- Reuben Camara, Principality of Morecambe, UK
Black cab drivers get enough breaks whilst they are ranked up waiting in a long queue for fares.
Also, they are very unlikely to fall asleep at the wheel whilst driving in Central London!
JI, London: I would challenge you to do the Central London Black Cab Drivers Knowledge..................
- Mrs, London UK
How does this work for those who subsidise their main income with taxi work, I'm think ing of firefighters specifically. Will it be judged on the no. of hours behind a wheel of no. of hours worked in both jobs?
- Bob, Cheam
S. Port. Totally agree that you are right, yes I do have a choice and I use it by never now getting a black cab. Unfortunately I am not as narrow minded as you and don't believe that our financial crisis is entirely down to the bankers. It's mainly down to the narrow minded public that couldn't see past the take take take of never never credit and borrowed way beyond their means. yes banks lent to them but it's all about supply and demand.
- Jl, London
Many black cab drivers might earn a few more quid if they didn't all turn their lights off after 11pm and only pick up the fares they feel like, rather than all those people standing on the pavement trying to get home in vain die to a dearth of available cabs.
- Keith, King's Cross
Jl you have a choice if you dont like black cabs, a bus the tube or even walk. We are all trying to make a living, pay our bills and enjoy life. If you want to be angry with anyone it should be the bankers and some of the city workers who have fleeced the taxpayers out of millions and now look forward to huge bonuses at our expense.
- Mr S.Port, London
Let's get this right! 'Three hundred people are killed every year by motorists falling asleep at the wheel' -Have any taxi drivers caused a death or an accident by 'falling asleep at the wheel'?
If not, then what has BRAKE's statement got to do with taxi drivers? -Unless taxi drivers causing accidents through tiredness is a problem, this does sound like needless interference! -But if they are a danger on the roads, fair enough.
- Tony H, Cumbernauld Scotland
I know many cabbies and but not one that is truthfully struggling to make ends meet. They are the biggest tex evaders I know.
I won't take a black cab on principle of their prices. the last time I took one from the Blackfriars to Euston it cost £28. Had I known this I would have taken the tube (but was carrying heavy items).
With the invention of Satnav let's be honest anyone can do their job now.
- Jl, London
"Brake says 300 people are killed every year in Britain by motorists falling asleep at the wheel. The charity, which advises drivers to take a rest every two hours on long journeys, says the current lack of legislation for taxis is dangerous."
...and how many of these are caused by black cab drivers in London?!?! Probably none... What is it with this government trying to regulate everything? I understand why they're doing it with the banks but come on, black cabs?!?! Is this a joke!
- Adam, London, UK
