Taxi Driver Online

Union’s call for tests to Dundee taxi drivers over 65



Union chiefs have asked the council for compulsory medical assessments for taxi drivers aged over 65 in a bid to avoid tragedies like the Glasgow bin lorry crash.

Six people lost their lives in December when driver Harry Clarke suffered a medical episode while at the wheel and crashed in Glasgow’s George Square.

Now GMB, which represents accessible vehicle taxi drivers in Dundee, has asked the city council to impose assessments on them to try to identify safety risks.

Officials from the union will meet council chiefs to discuss the request.

Drew Duffy, a regional organiser for GMB, said: “The taxi branch I deal with has asked the council to have compulsory medical assessments once drivers are over 65 and we are having a meeting on Friday.

“They want to do this to protect their health and the health of the public. In light of the incident in Glasgow, the consequences of not having a medical could be tragic.

“This wouldn’t cost the council a penny, it would come from the pockets of taxi drivers, but at a recent branch meeting it was clearly something they felt strongly about.

“If you work for National Express, they make sure you are fit to drive and they do it every five years, but taxi drivers don’t and it’s hard to understand why.”

His comments come as it emerged at least 142 Scots who admitted having blackouts have been allowed to drive HGVs and buses.

More than 9000 others who flagged up different medical problems that could affect driving were also given licences by the DVLA.

Even applicants with dementia, sleep apnoea and alcohol problems were granted licences to drive heavy goods and passenger-carrying vehicles last year, according to a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA.

GMB branch secretary William Lees added: “All we want is for every taxi driver to have a regular medical assessment once they reach 65 years old.

“That way the people of Dundee can be safe in the knowledge that their taxi driver is fit enough to drive.”

source: http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/2015/ ... s-over-65/

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

Harry Clarke was 58 at the time of the accident.

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

One of my drivers passed his medical not so lone ago and 7 days later had a stroke driving the cab..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

The thing with medical assessments is they are easy to pass as the doctors base most of it on the answers to questions so the Harrry Clarke's of this world will always be able to slip through the net whether they are checked annually or 3 yearly

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Have they ever had a medical for a HGV? They're about as much good as a fart in a wetsuit.

As a venture scout I farted whilst caving in Derbyshire. That was not pleasent. Probably still smells now.

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Grandad,

A medical exam is like an MOT..It's only good for the day it was carried out on.

Fechin union paranoia, they should be against such agist hurdles not encouraging them.

Trust you

A driver doesn't have to go to his own doctors for a medical, HGV medicals can be carried out by other doctors not charging £150+. I've just renewed by HGV licence and the medical cost me £120 at my own doctors, some drivers with medical problems don't visit their own doctors because they'll flag up problems.

Ours insist that you use your own doctor or one from the same practice.

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Grandad,

safety first ABSOLUTELY RIGHT WELL DONE THE GMB

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Is there any council down here that doesn't require a medical at 65?

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IDFIMH