Taxi Driver Online

Fight to change "taxi" driver working hours

RELATIVES of a South Yorkshire teenager run over by a taxi driver who admitted he had been working 14 hours are pushing forward with their campaign for a change in the law.

Truckers and bus drivers are subject to a maximum number of hours and must take breaks but there is no restriction for taxi drivers.

The family of 18-year-old Gary Glymond have met with Barnsley Central MP Eric Illsley to discuss how the loophole could be closed and he now plans to raise the matter with the Government.

Gary's stepdad Stuart Jackson, of Wilthorpe, Barnsley, said: "Mr Illsley was very keen and didn't see why something should not be done about this problem. He said it was a matter of common sense and assured us he would get in touch with the Department for Transport. He seemed very confident changes were possible.

"I said to him that in these days of health and safety these guys should not be allowed to go out and do what they want, putting people at risk, and he agreed."

Mr Illsley said: "I will be talking to the Transport Secretary to see if the issue has been raised before and, if so, the reasons why restrictions have not been implemented.

"I would then like to find out the Government's attitude towards whether anything can be done to change things."

Gary was killed while walking back to his mum and stepdad's home. The family's campaign for a change in the law to restrict taxi drivers' hours also includes Gary's mum Susan Jackson creating a petition on the 10 Downing Street website.

If it attracts more than 200 signatures, they will receive a response on behalf of the Prime Minister.

And Gary's stepmum Teresa Glymond has set up a campaign group 'Justice for Gary Glymond' on social networking website Facebook. It has 511 members.

Teresa said Gary, a Barnsley College student, had just enjoyed the "best day of his life" after watching Barnsley beat Chelsea at Oakwell in the FA Cup then enjoying drinks with his friends to celebrate his 18th birthday.

Gary was hit by private hire driver Lee Sewell's Vauxhall Vectra at about 3.30am on Sunday March 9 last year as he crossed Huddersfield Road.

An inquest held in Sheffield heard, Mr Sewell, 26, of Worsbrough, Barnsley, was found by police to have been travelling at more than 40mph. Self-employed Mr Sewell, who worked for the A1 Ace Radio taxi agency, declined to answer questions about his speed.

But when Gary's dad Martin Glymond asked how long he had been working, Sewell replied: "Fourteen hours, I started at quarter past one."

He added that he had "not seen" the Barnsley College motor vehicle student cross the road into his path.

Police said they were unable to take action against Mr Sewell over the hours he had been working because there are no restrictions for taxi drivers.

Lorry drivers cannot work more than four-and-a-half hours without a break. And bus drivers are restricted to four-and-a-half hours in one continuous period and a maximum nine-hour working day.

- Mr Sewell has been charged with careless driving. He has pleaded not guilty and is due to go on trial at Barnsley Magistrates' Court in spring.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

With Britains opt out of the working time directive about to go, won't that mean that taxi drivers will only be able to work a maximum of 48 hours a week?

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Grandad,

The more times sad instances like this happen, the more likely are hours will be restricted.

The thing is I'm not so sure doing 14 hours on a Friday or Saturday isn't the norm in many areas.

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IDFIMH

I think it will be a good few years yet, but I wouldn't bet too much on it not happening within 10 years.

Maybe a solution could be where drivers have a one or two hour break when doing a long one.

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IDFIMH

It is happening this year mate. It was on the news a couple of weeks ago.

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Grandad,

I know the MEPs have passed a resolution, but I suspect the UK will veto it.

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IDFIMH

If this guy worked 14 hours without a break then he's an idiot.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I don't think we will be able to veto it. I have just read the article again and it seems that it can be implemented in 2011.

http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/ ... t-out.html

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Grandad,

It would appear to me that speed might have had a greater part to play in this accident rather than tiredness. There is no suggestion the driver was tired.

Private hire drivers have accidents like everyone else, after all they are only human but perhaps in this particular case the driver may have been reckless?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

And a tad thick telling a relative of the decease how long he had been driving for that day.

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IDFIMH

I wonder if this opens up the firm he was working for?

Duty of Care? Health and safety policy?

Could get interesting.

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

really? what does "14 hours" indicate? .....

Considering there was no suggestion by the police that the driver was tired and there is every indication that the driver was speeding, then taking into account the evidence on offer and the fact that tiredness makes you slow down rather than speed up then I am of the opinion the facts favour speeding and recklessness rather than tiredness. However that is only my opinion and you are quite entitled to yours.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I was going to suggest that perhaps the lad was as p*ssed as a newt and walked in front of the PHV?

Huddersfield Road.

regards

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I was going to introduce that aspect to the debate so I'm glad you pointed out that at 3-30 am after a night on the town the young chap might have been a little worse for wear. Therefore we have no idea if he contributed to the accident and by how much?

Perhaps that aspect of the incident will now be brought into the debate?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.