Taxi Drivers Not Wearing Seatbelts.

[geoff1057]

Recently mentioned to me that a lot of local taxi drivers don't wear seatbelts . I now always look to see if they do ,and must admit the majority of them don't . Are they risking a 3 point licence penalty or dont they legally have to wear them.

[Sam1960]

see here geoff ...
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/wearing-seat-belt-and-exemptions

[Old_Geezer]

Not an expert but I think they are one of a set of groups that can leave them off.

[Baldric]

See 'Exemptions'

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/wearing-seat-belt-and-exemptions

[New Judge]

And in any case, failure to wear a seat belt is not an endorseable offence. No points can be imposed.

[ladybirder]

Does anyone know why a taxi driver is exempted?

[Sam1960]

Answer here ladybirder ...
https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/4702056/the-bizarre-reason-why-british-taxi-drivers-dont-have-to-wear-a-seat-belt/

[Cloverjo]

NJ,
From the link given above:
//Penalties for not wearing a seat belt

As a driver you may get a fine of £500 and three penalty points for not wearing your seat belt. If you are carrying a child under 14 without the proper restraint you are liable for a fine of £500 and three penalty points.

For passengers 14 years old and over, it is their own responsibility to ensure that they wear a seat belt if there is one available. As a passenger you may get a fine of £500 for not wearing a seat belt and can be awarded two penalty points.//

[Canary42]

///No points can be imposed.///

The gov link states 3 points.

[Baldric]

Also from 2nd link

// A BIZARRE traffic law means British taxi drivers don't have to wear a seat belt.
Regular drivers can be fined £100 for failing to buckle up, but cabbies are exempt //

[New Judge]

When the law was being framed taxi drivers' representatives lobbied Parliament for an exemption because they said they feared being attacked from behind by their back seat passengers. They said the belt could be used to restrain them and they may be unable to escape.

[Toorak]

I always understood that it was a practical issue - because taxi drivers need to get in and out of their cars frequently.

[Baldric]

From the same link

// The law is in place because of worries that wearing a belt would make them more vulnerable to assault.
A passenger could grab the belt and pin the cabbie in their seat before attacking them or grabbing cash //

[ladybirder]

I think I would feel happier if my taxi driver had a seatbelt on. Surely if we crashed he/she would be less likely to be injured and hence able to do what needed to be done.

[Peter Pedant]

at the time of the legislation 1967 or whenever
everyone said - "oh oh I want to be thrown clear so i dont want to wear a seat-belt!" - it is my choice ( to be a damned fool)

stats showed that very few were thrown clear and anyway the cars tended to roll on them afterwards ( or was it horses?)

I think their children must have turned into Brexiteers (ter-daaah!)

[New Judge]

"The gov link states 3 points."

Then the government link is wrong. See towards the bottom of this table from the Magistrates' Sentencing Guidelines:

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/item/offences-appropriate-for-imposition-of-fine-or-discharge/3-offences-appropriate-for-imposition-of-fine-or-discharge/#Seat_belt_offences

[alavahalf]

The law today states ...
There is no legal requirement to wear a seat belt if you're: a driver who is reversing, or supervising a learner driver who is reversing. driving a goods vehicle, on deliveries, that is travelling no more than 50 metres between stops. a licensed taxi driver who is 'plying for hire' or carrying passengers.

[New Judge]

"I always understood that it was a practical issue - because taxi drivers need to get in and out of their cars frequently."

An exemption is available for delivery drivers for that reason.

[Davemano]

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/wearing-seat-belt-and-exemptions.

The link relates to Northern Ireland.

[Toorak]

So the assault & robbery argument can’t apply if the exclusion also applies to drivers looking for custom ( because there is no one there to rob them in their cabs)

[Baldric]

Page not found ^^^^