Taxi Driver Online

Death crash taxi driver could have fallen asleep


A TAXI driver who died from severe head and chest injuries after losing control of his cab may have momentarily fallen asleep.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard that Peter Cleary could have worked for more than 13 hours prior to the crash which claimed his life on August 17 this year.

Mr Cleary, who lived in Abbey Road, Popley, Basingstoke, was travelling alone on the eastbound carriageway of the A303 between Bullington Cross and Micheldever shortly after midnight when his black Hackney Cab hit a lorry travelling in the same direction.

A police investigator said Mr Cleary's vehicle hit a road sign, ploughed into a safety barrier and rebounded into a lorry before coming to rest on its side in the middle of the carriageway.

The 47-year-old self-employed taxi driver was not wearing a seatbelt, and was partially thrown from the vehicle before it made contact with the lorry.

In a statement read to the court, Rick Watson, a taxi meter expert, said Mr Cleary's meter had been operational for more than 13 hours since being reset. But he said it did not necessarily mean he had been working all those hours in one day.

Mr Watson also said that although Mr Cleary had reached speeds of up to 87mph during the journey, there was no indication of his speed when he crashed.

Michael Cole, who was driving the lorry that was struck a glancing blow by Mr Cleary's taxi, told the inquest: "It got past me and the next thing I saw was the taxi going at a right angle across the road."

Mr Cole, from Bedfordshire, was not hurt in the incident and stopped to raise the alarm.

In her evidence, Mr Cleary's wife Marie said her husband had seemed a little tired earlier that afternoon, but she checked with him that he had had a rest and said he was "full of life" when he went back out to work.

Pc Stephen Hoynes, a Hampshire Constabulary collisions investigator, concluded that Mr Cleary (pictured) suffered a "catastrophic loss of control" of the vehicle.

Coroner Grahame Short said that, after hearing the evidence, tiredness could not be ruled out as a cause of the crash.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Short said: "Whatever the reason was that he lost control, I'm clear that this was an accidental death."

He said although there was no evidence that wearing a seatbelt would have saved Mr Cleary's life, taxi drivers should remember to wear them.

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

Sad to hear about a fellow driver losing his life, due to extreme hours.

I am not aware of any problems with his council tariff, but in Newport Gwent the Council have allowed the tariff to fall like a stone, the fallout is that drivers are having to work in excess of 80 hours a week just to make a living.

So how many more will we read about similar situations, the next time passengers could be involved. My own opinion is that it should be compulsory for councils to review the tariff on an annual basis.

When I used to drive in Newport, (now Cardiff) I brought it to the Councils attention, The reply from one of the councillors was - I use taxis and I think the tariff is alright - Umm Excuse me, since when has a taxi tariff been alright, but there again another Bl***y moron in charge.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

I think the tariff does need reviewing annually, doesn't mean it needs to go up, but does need looking at.

The problems the trade have are a) often it's split about what the best increase is, and b) the time it takes a council to implement it.

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IDFIMH

Idiots that situation arises because you dont organise, be proactive, not reactive, London Brighton Newcastle and others learning.ALWAYS HAVE A CLAIM ON THE TABLE!
ORGANISE ORGANISE EDUCATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

No! the situation arises because you are the one that does not organise - that is why you are there. The whole purpose of a trade union is to recruit and represent. You are a business - go and earn the respect of a future member, and your unions income will follow.

To many unions want to take a members money and do little for it.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

So i come down to Cardiff, and recruit and they all see the light and stand up for themselves? Or more likely they like YOU spout and do nothing, you get out what you put in mush, evidently very little, no change since my last visit during the miners dispute, Sing a great song RUNAWAY from a fight my experience of you lot!!!!!!!!!!!
A Union is its members, nothing else, thats why were doing so well in Brighton members prepared to take office, attend meetings ,Organise, already they are seeing the rewards, you want to try it?????????
ORGANISE EDUCATE AGITATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU GOT THE BOTTLE CABBY JOHN ????????

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

FFS GMB, a man has lost his life!.
The sad truth about this industry is that most of us can't earn a decent living doing a 40 hr week, what the answer is I don't know.

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stressed controller!!!

He was murderd by the system, which lack of organisation ALLOWED, do nothing get mugged off. The message NEVER AGAIN organise fight get stuck in.Why tolerate it ? it can be stopped.It must be stopped.The GMBPDB is ready and available.Rambo theres the answer needs guts though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ORGANISE EDUCATE AGITATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

I will sign on the dotted line GMB if you can promise me it will make the phones ring, but it won't.
Joining a union will not get the driver anymore work, you could campain for higher rates, but if the rates are to high no one would use cabs, catch 22 i'm afraid.

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stressed controller!!!

Thats just an excuse for not trying,and then more tragedy, no-one can guarantee sucess but we can guarantee an impact.Surely the way forward?

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

I would be more than willing to try GMB, but what are we trying for?.

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stressed controller!!!

I was a shop steward in the car industry for years - we were out practically more than we were in - as for the miners they stuck it out to the bitter end, so guts does not come into it, we have got plenty of that.

What we do not need is pointless agitation from the people who claim to represent. What we do need is "Real" leadership, followed by realistic policies and backbone from the unions themselves. Talking about "backbone" that is what the unions themselves need, instead of pandering to Government departments, and filling their own boots.

Ask yourself this,if the union movement was so good, why did the membership decline by "millions" and I do mean millions.

P.S the name is john, not mush.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

Listen john a union is its membership nothing more nothing less.
The Welsh miners were the first back. FACT!
Your experience in the car industry, so what this is a new era, a new Branch that is PROACTIVE, New Leadership Paul Kenny GS.No more grovelling to Govt.Obviously your situation down there needs sorting well were ready willing and ABLE.
If your happy do nothing, otherwise give me a ring, by the way MUSH is a term of friendship sorry if it upset you.
Terry Flanagan Branch Sec GMB Professional Drivers Branch 07958275339
ORGANISE ORGANISE ORGANISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

Terry

I have watched the unions over the years stand back and do nothing when they should have been sticking their chins out, and I have watched the guys at the top protect their own positions at the expense of the membership so please forgive me if I come across as a sceptic.

It is not that I am happy to do nothing, it is that I am no longer to date, prepared to part with subscriptions to keep someone else in a life style that I would not mind myself.

I look upon unions as being a business in their own right, not that there is anything wrong with that, But! I want value for money. I just feel that the unions need to sell themselves,i.e show the potential members what they can do in return.

In Cardiff we are not badly off, but can always improve - Newport (Gwent) I was down there for four years, and on fiqures compiled by Private Hire and Taxi Monthly they have fallen about 150 places down the list. The Council and one major Taxi company are practically working hand in hand in suppressing the tariff, the policy is driving the independent off the road to the said company as the Ind cannot make a decent living off the ranks.

I was bashing my head against a brick wall with the council, I had loads of info re the Freedom of info act but as an individual got nowhere.I even rang one of the local Trade Union offices explaining the problem and how they could capitilise on it, But! they were to lazy and unprofessional to go out and have for the taking, additional membership. As I said trade unionism is a business and they have got to sell themselves, if I dont see any up and go with them, why would I want to be a part of that.

P.S got your number, mush not a problem "now"

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

Ok John read again GMB in effect under new managment, we have significant impact on the Industry in London, and are on the way in Brighton, and Newcastle, we have Reps nationwide and i would welcome the opportunity to talk to you, i am certain we could substanialy assist in your problems, 07958 275 339 if you call i will return it cost you nothing!
Terry Flanagan GMB BRANCH SECRETARY PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS BRANCH.

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.