Taxi Driver Online

Another point is that most ambulance transports and social services mini buses load from the rear why would this not be a safety issue for them also ?

I once allowed a passenger to travel sideways he came out of his chair and sued for damages which cost me my no claims ! I have never allowed a passenger to travel unsecured again even though it meant i had to sacrifice one customer who always used to insist on holding on instead of being strapped in.

Just remember a passenger is perfectly happy to hold on until he ends up injured on the floor and then the accident claims specialists charge in with £ signs in their eyes

Well it's not IMO.

But some councils just love to follow the PC do-gooder brigade.

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IDFIMH

I would firstly ask where you get the "typical" wheelchair user is 20 stone plus.

I would secondly ask, when doing your risk assesment, did you consider the risk of pushing a passenger onto the road. As you are no doubt aware in the case of a vehicle breakdown, the advice from every "road safety" group is to leave the vehicle as a number of people each year are killed or seriously injured when waiting for recovery in their vehicle.

Personally, I prefer to allow all of my passengers to get in and out of my vehicle from the pavement, and if any of them require any assistance then I prefer to also be standing on the pavement when giving it.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

High level lights, hi visability vests and the fact that these vehicles are generally picking people up and dropping them off at designated "safe" places or facilities.

Many of these vehicles are also double crewed.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

Designated safe places like road accidents and outside peoples homes. The discussion is mainly about the effect if the vehicle is in an accident itself.

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Grandad,

Typical...to my company, we carry four wheelchair users from a care home on a daily basis and all are in excess of 20 stone. We have occasional, more elderly cutomers who are certainly lighter.

Risk assessment.... my assessment is purely regarding the safety of my employee. We have never had a 'hailed' wheelchair job in ten years of having the vehicles and serving a mainline station. A driver is trained to assess the best location for loading his customer,in the vicinity available. I personally try to find a place I can reverse up to the kerb and drop the ramp on the kerb.

As for visibility, all my vehicles carry at least two hi viz vests and drivers are instructed to wear them and offer to a customer where appropriate.

Two ranks in our district are place on the right side of the road in lay bys in narrow one way streets. So your side loading 'theory' goes completely up in smoke in these locations.

Any more questions I can help you with?

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

Tom Thumb wrote:
Two ranks in our district are place on the right side of the road in lay bys in narrow one way streets. So your side loading 'theory' goes completely up in smoke in these locations.

I used to work from Colchester High Street rank, this is also on the "wrong" side of the road.

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Why don't you get a proper job???

Well I've never had a problem putting a wheelchair in the correct position.

In London you have to pass a seperate wheelchair test. If you can't stow it correctly, you won't be licensed, but then we are the best.

With the rear seats up, it's hardly difficult, you take the chair to the far side and reverse it in, then secure it using the straps provided.

If a pick up point is unsuitable, then the wheelchair has wheels (there's a clue in the name)