Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver Kevin Gill fears a baby could be killed in the back of a taxi. It's only a matter of time before a baby is killed in an Inverclyde taxi because parents and drivers aren't obeying the law.

That is the stark warning from one Greenock taxi driver who says he is sick of being sworn at by parents for refusing to carry a baby without a proper car seat.

Kevin Gill (40) says he is only obeying the law but he claims other taxi drivers are breaking it by allowing tots to travel in the arms of their mum or dad. Mr Gill says drivers and parents need to be made aware that taxis are no different from any other type of car and babies must be in a proper car seat.

He said: "Taxi drivers think they're different from private cars but they're not. "The public need to know. It's not nice in the pouring rain when I tell a mum with a baby 'I can't take you'. “It looks like you're refusing to do a job and another taxi comes up and takes them. "What's it going to take? A six-month-old baby squashed to bits in a car?"

He says Inverclyde Council, who hand out licences to cab drivers, need to make it clear the seat belt laws apply to taxis and children under two need to be in a car seat. Mr Gill's message is simple: "If you want a cab to take a baby, you need a car seat."

A spokesperson for Inverclyde Council told the Telegraph: "This is a matter which applies to all drivers, including taxi drivers.

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IDFIMH

Couple of things.

Firstly what a great advert for the trade, should increase trade no-end.

Secondly, what a load of rubbish. Check the law sir and you will find out that baby seats are only madatory on regular work, not occasional taxi/PH rides.

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IDFIMH

Even up here?

Any private hire car driver driving a vehicle to which air bags have been fitted for rear seat passengers shall carry a child’s booster seat capable of carrying a child passenger, with seat belt attached, in safety in the event of the airbag being deployed

The driver of a private hire car shall not at any time convey in the private hire car more than the number of passengers the private hire car is licensed to carry. For the purposes of this condition the number of passengers the private hire car is licensed to carry shall be determined by the number of seat spaces provided with safety belts which the vehicle contains (excluding the driver’s seat and safety belt). Any child under 2 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The driver of a private hire car will be required to provide a child seat for the use of children who are too small or too young to safely use the fitted seat belts. No driver of a private hire car will be required to provide more than one child seat per journey

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ ... CDCOND.DOC

As with anything else LAs can have their own particular rules, but if not then clearly the general law applies.

Which is, I think, that child seats only have to be used if fitted?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

I can't believe this condition, there are different sizes and different ages groups on booster seats
You have to be guided by the size, weight and development of the child rather than just their age, so which one do you buy, Its you that will be up in court if its wrong if there is an injury or an accident

It's all here.


http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... 38198.hcsp

Clear as mud!

in the link look under Children and seatbelt
http://www.hastings.gov.uk/taxis/taxi_n ... aspx#a0006

Could someone just clarify the first proposal on the link below
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/latest/dft.htm

I know my little grandkids will travel safe and secure with the right equipment in my vehicle, does this seem to say in a taxi, hey it doesn't matter about kids in taxis

This thread has generated a lot of interest in a short space of time and I think everyone should read the link Geoff posted to the DfT. It is very informative.

This particular passage caught my eye, which suggests a restraint is not needed in a Taxi if one is not fitted. That suggests to me that the Taxi driver is breaking no laws. Having said that I havent read the whole directive so it is perhaps too early for me to make a comment but no doubt others have read it all and their opinions will be most welcome.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... 38198.hcsp

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/latest/dft.htm

Q1. Do you have any comments on the requirement that by 9 May 2006 all children under 3 years old must use an appropriate child restraint in both the front and rear seats and may not travel unrestrained when travelling in any car or goods vehicle, except a taxi if an appropriate child restraint is unavailable?

17. The Department considers that the amending regulations should provide for the exemptions permitted under the Directive. These recognise some of the practical difficulties that arise from the requirement to use child restraints. Therefore we propose that from 9 May 2006, all children aged 3 and over and up to 135 cms in height when travelling in cars and goods vehicles must use an appropriate child restraint except in the following circumstances:

* when travelling in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle being used to carry passengers for hire and an appropriate child restraint is not available, providing they do not occupy a front seat;

Regards

JD

I have my daughters booster seat in the boot anyway - so doesn't bother me.

Actually, I had the first ever customer request for a car with a booster seat last weekend - so the public demand could be starting.

But don't you use that?

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IDFIMH

LOL

6'3" - I have the opposite problem



Good thing is it came with two detachable cushions - so it's one for Charley jnr and one for the others - just incase.

One thing though, I always stipulate the kids get the belt on - even on a short journey - stuff that on your concious if the unthinkable happened.

I used to carry a booster seat but some git stole it.