the scumA BIZARRE traffic law means British taxi drivers don't have to wear a seat belt.
Regular drivers can be fined £100 for failing to buckle up, but cabbies are exempt.
Taxi drivers are exempt from buckling up
It's thanks to a little known law that puts a driver's safety ahead of road safety and hasn't been revised since 1993.
The reason cabbies don't have to belt up dates back to before the introduction of screens between the driver and passenger.
The law is in place because of worries that wearing a belt would make them more vulnerable to assault.
A passenger could grab the belt and pin the cabbie in their seat before attacking them or grabbing cash.
Partition screens have made the law obsolete
But today, specially designed taxis now feature isolated cabins and private hire vehicles can be adapted.
And some app-based operators don't use cash with payments made online.
The rules are also in place to allow cabbies to get in and out quickly to assist passengers.
The law states you don't need to wear a seat belt if you're "a licensed taxi driver who is ‘plying for hire’ or carrying passengers".
But road safety experts say it's odd taxi drivers can drive without a belt given the deadly risk - even if they don't have screens.
Other times you don't have to wear a seatbelt
You don’t need to wear a seat belt if you’re:
a driver who is reversing, or supervising a learner driver who is reversing
in a vehicle being used for police, fire and rescue services
a passenger in a trade vehicle and you’re investigating a fault
driving a goods vehicle on deliveries that is travelling no more than 50 metres between stops
a licensed taxi driver who is ‘plying for hire’ or carrying passengers
Those unbuckled in the car are much more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries in a crash.
Peter Rodger, IAM RoadSmart head of driver advice, said: "The idea that it is outdated by the screen and non-cash payment is London centric.
"But I think it would be better if taxi drivers wore their belts, likewise their passengers who often don’t from my personal anecdotal observation."
A spokesman for the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said: "Many taxi drivers do choose to wear seatbelts and we encourage our members to do so for their own safety.
"However, we do not enforce this, in alignment with legislation, as one of the reasons for the introduction of this exemption was to allow drivers to more easily assist passengers in and out of the vehicle.
"This is of particular importance for those with limited mobility."
Jimbo 2 days ago
Just one question for all these so called 'safety experts'. How many black cab drivers have suffered an injury directly related to not wearing a seat belt in the course of their days work since 1993. I'm no expert but I would say very few if not any .Probably more people have been injured falling over carpets then any taxi injuries.
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