Taxi driving standards

[brianmole 0]

Is it just me that seems to experience really bad driving from Taxi drivers in this area? It could be a gross generalisation on my part, but so often I see taxi drivers speeding well beyond the limits in built up areas and performing dangerous manouvres. As a parent of 2 youngsters, this scares me, considering that these 2 will be wandering the streets unaccompanied before long.

 

BTW, I mean no offence to DJU taxi drivers, I'm sure they drive properly!

 

[Mo The Motown Man 0]

Brian do you mean ,Black cab drivers or mini cab drivers who are licence through there local council ! Black cab drivers have a very still driving test

[stevie 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/042.gif

 

Agree there a nightmare round here to,sometimes it seems like they never even took a driving test http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wallbash.gif

[Kingy 0]

There was a crack down in Walsall where by roughly 80% of the "Private Hire" cabs got took off the road for being in some way dangerous!!!

 

I find them to be poor drivers, racing around to get to the next jobs as quick as possible. The black cabs dont seem to be as bad.

[Kane 0]

our mini cab drivers are 60+ geriatrics who drive big mercedes and can just about see over the wheel

[ChrisPointon 0]

Worst drivers on the road? - 17 Year Old Trainee Plumbers in white Astramax's http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[brianmole 0]

I don't mean Black cabs, or minicabs - just the ordinary licensed cabs. We all know the dangers of minicabs I hope.

[Kane 0]

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Dec 8 2005, 09:56 AM)

Worst drivers on the road? - 17 Year Old Trainee Plumbers in white Astramax's http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

no, 17 year olds covererd head to toe in burberry driving there 1 litre novas http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/9.gif

[Gary 0]

Some Elderly people are simply an accident waiting to happen to themselves and others.

 

In one town last week, a 76 year old woman lost control of her car in a car park, and imbedded her volvo automatic right up to the windscreen, in an office wall; smashing the desk and PC on the other side of the wall, to pieces. Luckily the desk wasnt being used at the moment of the accident.

 

Also, about this time last year, I was queing in a line of traffic waiting to get onto a roundabout and saw what the hold-up was, a little ol' lady was driving the wrong way around the roundabout... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/scared.gif

 

Perhaps over a certain age, old biddies and their male counter-parts should take a "general awareness" test, perhaps on video, or perhaps just as a front-seat passenger in a car, where they have to point out, verbally assess what they're noticing during say, a 20 minute journey - if they dont notice the herd of cows, the carnival procession, the group of cheerleaders, or the alien invasion force at the end of the road, they should perhaps have to re-take a full driving test - with their licence forfeit if its found that they're no longer safe.

[brianmole 0]

They do have to get a doc's certificate to renew their license after a certain age.

[Gary 0]

QUOTE (brianmole @ Dec 8 2005, 11:05 AM)

They do have to get a doc's certificate to renew their license after a certain age.

Crikey! Mikeee kept that quiet... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mikeee 0]

Make a note to myself - Strike from Christmas Card list http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/hide.gif

[High Fidelity 0]

Having been a Taxi driver myself for a while, I have to say that the standard of driving of the Private Hires was definitley lower than that of the Hackneys.

 

Incidentally, I wonder how many know the difference between a "Taxi (Hackney Cab)" and a "Private Hire (Minicab)".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For anybody that doesn't know the difference, and no it's not that ones a Blackcab and the others a car.

 

A "Private Hire (Minicab)" can only carry pre booked fares. They cannot legally pick anybody up who has not booked them in advance. It is illegal for them to do so, and their insurance does not cover them if they do. So be warned, if you flag a "Private Hire (Minicab) down in the street, or jump into one outside a club or pub and you haven't booked it in advance, then if it has an accident, It's insurance won't cover you for injuries. Also, "Private Hire (Minicab)'s", don't have to have a meter and can charge you what they like. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif

 

A "Taxi (Hackney)" doesn't have to be a traditional Blackcab. Some Councils allow cars or even minibuses to be a "Taxi (Hackney). These can pick up anywhere, without having to be pre booked, and so of course, their insurance costs them more. Their fares are controlled by the Council and they have to have a meter that is tested by the Council every year to make sure it complies with the fares set by the Council.

 

 

So Hey! - Let's be careful out there. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Gary 0]

Incidently, do hackney carriages still have to carry a small (tiny) bail of straw around with them?

[Mo The Motown Man 0]

Being a professional driving instructor for the last 32 years what the learner industry would like to see is that every one (& me ) should be re- tested at 25,35,45,55 65, ect. :- They would not lose there licence at first if they were to fail but would sit are test in 3 months time if they then failed they would revert to provisional licence holder until they reached the required standard

[paula 0]

I agree with that too Mr driving instructor! well sort of, some sort of refresher should be a must!

 

Now onto cars! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wacko.gif

 

I've had a really BAD day! the whole village of Hersham http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/mad.gif has been beeping there horns at me! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/blush.gif

Me not knowing anything was wrong has been hurling all sorts of obsenities out the window at them!

One poor guy I left sitting in shock at traffic lights after shouting whats your (insert rude word) Totting's that way! now (insert rude word here) off!

only to find after being flagged down by a TAXI driver, that none of my lights are working.

1 brake light stopped last week and I never got round to changing it! so I've now changed them and there working my left indicator is working to, but I can't get the bulb into the right one....what am I doing wrong! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wacko.gif and why would they all go like that.

 

 

I have to go back to Hersham tommorow http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/014.gif

[brianmole 0]

Phew, close shave - I thought you were coming to Horsham http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/omg.gif

[paula 0]

That wasn't very nice Mr Mole! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/bash.gif

 

Light problems all sorted! with the help of a file http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wacko.gif

[yorkiemark 0]

Having been a Taxi driver myself for a while, I have to say that the standard of driving of the Private Hires was definitley lower than that of the Hackneys.

 

Incidentally, I wonder how many know the difference between a "Taxi (Hackney Cab)" and a "Private Hire (Minicab)".

For anybody that doesn't know the difference, and no it's not that ones a Blackcab and the others a car.

 

A "Private Hire (Minicab)" can only carry pre booked fares. They cannot legally pick anybody up who has not booked them in advance. It is illegal for them to do so, and their insurance does not cover them if they do. So be warned, if you flag a "Private Hire (Minicab) down in the street, or jump into one outside a club or pub and you haven't booked it in advance, then if it has an accident, It's insurance won't cover you for injuries. Also, "Private Hire (Minicab)'s", don't have to have a meter and can charge you what they like. :fear:

 

A "Taxi (Hackney)" doesn't have to be a traditional Blackcab. Some Councils allow cars or even minibuses to be a "Taxi (Hackney). These can pick up anywhere, without having to be pre booked, and so of course, their insurance costs them more. Their fares are controlled by the Council and they have to have a meter that is tested by the Council every year to make sure it complies with the fares set by the Council.

So Hey! - Let's be careful out there.

 

I know this is a old thread but I have to reply on this 1

 

Been a Cabbie (Private Hire) myself I have to stick up for my self & my Colleagues and say we dont charge what we want we have Meters fitted in our cars that are checked yearly or everytime there is a change in pricing.

Also our Veichles are checked & given a rigerous test twice a year & it has been known our local Taxi Licensing doing random on the spot checks.

 

 

I can assure you when/If you ever come to York you can relax in the Knowledge that our Taxi or Cabs are perfectly safe & that all Drivers are Police checked.

 

as for the driving yeah Ive seen some pretty poor driving by Taxi Drivers but its the same in any job there are people who do their job a well & theres those that really should be doing something else.

[DJ Ben 0]

I was travelling back from Brighton (Where the taxis are very good) and came back into Teddington (Middx).. got a cab back there to Hanworth (3 or 4 miles) and it took us 5 mins.

 

Driver was awful, throwing the car (people carrier) around the bends, going far too fast and we were scared for our lives.

 

Very bad.

[analyst 0]

I find most cases of bad taxi/cab driving are driven (hmm) by insane greed.

 

Apart from general speeding to get to the next job, I see cabs of all types driven with total lack of care for safety or consideration for other road users because the driver has spotted a "fare".

 

They'll do U-turns without warning in the face of oncoming traffic, or throw on full anchors and dive for the kerb without a thought for who's following behind them.

 

I'd like to see them much more heavily regulated.

 

"Here's a tip for you mate . . . go and learn to drive properly"

[milhouse 0]

I find most cases of bad taxi/cab driving are driven (hmm) by insane greed.

 

Apart from general speeding to get to the next job, I see cabs of all types driven with total lack of care for safety or consideration for other road users because the driver has spotted a "fare".

 

They'll do U-turns without warning in the face of oncoming traffic, or throw on full anchors and dive for the kerb without a thought for who's following behind them.

 

I'd like to see them much more heavily regulated.

 

"Here's a tip for you mate . . . go and learn to drive properly"

 

I was once overtaking a taxi in a right hand lane of a 4 lane road (2 lanes in either direction). All of a sudden he began to do a u-turn with me parallel to him. Had not used his mirrors at all. Had to go on to the wrong side of the road to avoid being wiped out. I needed a change of pants. Even with me beeping my horn he didnt stop performing his u-turn or slow down at any point.

 

They frequently park on the wrong side of the road, facing the wrong way, double parked with their headlights on to drop off or pick up a fare. Its so ignorant and lazy.

Edited January 23, 2008 by JonWhittaker

[NRG Roadshow 0]

Firstly.....

 

I have noticed that some taxi drivers seem to think they have their own law regarding what they can and cant do on the road.......they seem to think thier is some kind of forcefield around their vehicles that would protect them in the event of them hitting anything......and they drive accordingly!

 

Notice I said "SOME"......many cab drivers are very good drivers as they are very experienced drivers and are professional and courteous, but those type of taxi drivers do tend to be few and far between.

 

On the subject of elderly people.....

 

I firmly believe that ALL motorists should be forced to take a driving test at 60 years of age.

Lets not forget that their are many elderly drivers that have never even taken a driving test.

And any 60+ person that complains that this is unfair and they shouldnt have to take the test....well sorry but that probably means they are doughting thier own ability in being able to pass the test.

 

On the subject of bad driving in general.......

 

Simple solution (but probably too costly)......compulsory retaking of driving tests every 5 years.......and if you cant pass the test then you dont drive.

Im sure their will be lots of people that say this is unfair, but if you dont think you could pass a driving test tomorow then should you really be driving anyway?

[NRG Roadshow 0]

Firstly.....

 

I have noticed that some taxi drivers seem to think they have their own law regarding what they can and cant do on the road.......they seem to think thier is some kind of forcefield around their vehicles that would protect them in the event of them hitting anything......and they drive accordingly!

 

Notice I said "SOME"......many cab drivers are very good drivers as they are very experienced drivers and are professional and courteous, but those type of taxi drivers do tend to be few and far between.

 

On the subject of elderly people.....

 

I firmly believe that ALL motorists should be forced to take a driving test at 60 years of age.

Lets not forget that their are many elderly drivers that have never even taken a driving test.

And any 60+ person that complains that this is unfair and they shouldnt have to take the test....well sorry but that probably means they are doughting thier own ability in being able to pass the test.

 

On the subject of bad driving in general.......

 

Simple solution (but probably too costly)......compulsory retaking of driving tests every 5 years.......and if you cant pass the test then you dont drive.

Im sure their will be lots of people that say this is unfair, but if you dont think you could pass a driving test tomorow then should you really be driving anyway?