Taxi drivers should have more respect
WHY do so many taxi drivers in this area think they are above the law?
Recently I have witnessed so many times tailgating, speeding and aggressive behaviour to other law-abiding road users. I have the misfortune to be on the receiving end of the behaviour of one of such drivers down Trinity Road, Cleethorpes.
At approximately 4.15pm, a private hire driver in a blue 52-reg vehicle followed my car as it was travelling towards Taylor's Avenue. The speed limit was actually 20mph. Which means 20mph 24/7. Not when it suits. The taxi driver tailgated, became aggressive, shook his head and gave hand gestures. This was all because I was doing the legal speed limit. He then turned left into Highgate, and was literally only travelling a matter of metres behind my car. The behaviour was far from acceptable.
All taxi drivers have a duty of care to fare-paying passengers and other law-abiding road users.
Many taxi drivers do not seem to know what this means.
This one particular driver should read the Highway Code and also the conditions on the back of their council driver's licence, under the section one, and rule (B) conduct of driver: Behave in a civil and orderly manner.
None of you are above the law. If you want respect from other road users I suggest firstly many of you should have respect for other people.
You are now easily identified and can be duly reported for your actions to the necessary authorities at the council and the police.
These aggressive taxi drivers give the decent ones a bad name. Have some thought in doing your job.
Approved driving instructor (name and address supplied).
The Telegraph says
Agreed. Some "aggressive" drivers will give the majority a bad name – and they work hard, all hours and we are sure some face abuse.
5 Comments
by david, peterborough
Friday, March 12 2010, 10:51AM
“Driving in and around Grimsby isn't easy, so doing it all day (or night) will affect drivers performance. Plus everyone wants their taxi NOW!
Not making excuses for bad driving but a lot of factors contribute to human behaviour”
by David M, Grimsby ( once GREAT but not now )
Saturday, March 06 2010, 2:57PM
“I have lost count at the number of times I have seen PROFFESIONAL drivers , such as Taxi drivers and some LORRY drivers , who shoot junctions and lights in order to save precious seconds. I have one very simple question to ask them all -- WHY ? which is more precious - seconds of time or LIVES because this is the question they should ask themselves. One day they might be asked the same question at an inquest !”
by Tim, Cleethorpes
Friday, March 05 2010, 6:44PM
“Can't disagree with 'Mr. Angry', as he points out the speed limit is 20 mph 24/7. The reason being that speeding drivers and schools don't go together. Maybe it would be more sensible to introduce a 20 mph speed limit at certain times of the day in term time during school hours. Doesn't for one moment excuse the actions of this particular taxi driver, but if the reduced speed limit was enforced for the hours it was actually needed it would be a reasonable course of action. The main governor of the speed you drive at should be the road conditions, including the surroundings. Driving at 30 mph around a busy school when pupils are just starting or finishing the school day displays a clear lack of common sense and a poor standard of driving. Driving at 20 mph 'because it says so' when the road conditions suggest otherwise is bound to cause frustration.
To those of you who seek to jump on the moral high ground and say that 'because it says so' means you're acting within the law and to otherwise is illegal - feel free. But wouldn't we be better asking the council why it decided to pursue a blanket speed limit policy guaranteed to cause frustration rather than introduce lower limits at relevant times, much like the bus lanes?”
by RV, Cleethorpes
Friday, March 05 2010, 9:38AM
“It's not just the taxi drivers - the standards of driving in Grimsby and Cleethorpes are poor. I travel at rush hour and I see drivers going through red lights, rather than wait a few minutes when the light changes. This is every day at most of the lights. It is so obvious I wondered whether there was an error in the highway code in Grimsby which reads "When the lights change to amber, put your foot on the accelerator and try to get through the red light quickly before the traffic in the adjacent direction moves off."”
by Bobby Joe, Gy
Friday, March 05 2010, 9:19AM
“This letter really surprises me!
I had always considered we had the slowest taxi drivers in the world here in Grimsby!
always trying to drive in too higher gear for their engine revs in a misguided attempt to drive more economically.
Sure many do not use their indicators, but hey, they know where they are going.
Just consider where we would be without them though! - on foot that's where!”